Proof of citizenship

Why you may need proof of citizenship

You might need proof of Canadian citizenship to:

  • vote;
  • obtain a passport;
  • obtain a driver’s licence, an enhanced driver’s licence or an enhanced identity card;
  • get a job;
  • access government services such as health care or a pension, or to obtain a Social Insurance Number.

Which documents are accepted as proof of citizenship

The following documents are recognized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada as proof of citizenship. Some government departments or agencies may not accept all the documents below and may require additional documents.

  • Provincial or territorial birth certificates are often enough to prove that you are a Canadian citizen if you were born in Canada.
    • Your birth certificate cannot serve as proof of citizenship if you were born in Canada after February 14, 1977, and at the time of your birth, your parents were neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents, and at least one parent had diplomatic status in Canada.
    • If you were born in Canada before February 15, 1977, to a parent with diplomatic status, please contact us to find out if your birth certificate is a valid proof of citizenship.
  • Naturalization certificates (issued before January 1, 1947)
  • Registration of Birth Abroad certificates (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977, inclusively)
  • Certificates of Retention (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977, inclusively)
  • Citizenship certificates. Find more information about:

What is a citizenship certificate

  • A Canadian citizenship certificate is a document that proves that a person is a Canadian citizen.
  • The citizenship certificate is an 8½ x 11 paper size certificate. It contains the following information:
    • Your certificate number
    • Your Unique Client Identifier
    • Your name
    • Your date of birth
    • Your gender
    • Your effective date of Canadian citizenship
  • A citizenship certificate is not a travel document. Any Canadian citizen wanting to travel outside Canada should obtain a Canadian passport.

Example of the new citizenship certificate, available as of February 1, 2012:

Citizenship certificates issued before February 1, 2012, remain valid.

Example of the old citizenship certificate:

Learn about:

Brochure: How to Obtain Proof of Canadian Citizenship

This publication is currently being revised. The updated version will be available soon.