Prepare for the citizenship ceremony

The citizenship ceremony is the final step in becoming a Canadian citizen. During the citizenship ceremony, you will take the oath of citizenship and receive your citizenship certificate.

If you meet all of the requirements to become a Canadian citizen or to resume Canadian citizenship, we will send you a notice telling you to attend a ceremony to take the oath of citizenship. The notice will tell you when and where the ceremony will take place.

New citizens need to wait at least two business days after their citizenship ceremony before applying for services such as a passport.

Who attends the citizenship ceremony

Adults and children aged 14 or over must attend the citizenship ceremony and take the oath.

Parents receive certificates of citizenship for their children under age 14. These children do not have to attend, but they are welcome.

What to bring to the citizenship ceremony

You must bring all of your original immigration documents to the citizenship ceremony.

If you have a permanent resident card, you must bring it with you.

If you became a permanent resident before June 28, 2002, you must bring your Record of Landing (IMM 1000).

If you have both of those documents, bring both of them to the ceremony.

What happens at the citizenship ceremony

At the citizenship ceremony, you are welcomed into the Canadian family and you accept the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.

A citizenship judge usually presides over the ceremony and administers the oath of citizenship. Many people will take the oath with you.

If you want to swear the oath of citizenship on your holy book, bring it with you to the ceremony.

Once you have taken the oath of citizenship at a ceremony, you will be a Canadian citizen. You will receive your certificate of citizenship at the ceremony. The certificate is an 8 ½ x 11 paper size certificate that you must use to prove that you are a Canadian citizen and to show the date that you became a Canadian citizen. Your citizenship certificate is not a travel document. Keep this document in a safe place.

Oath of citizenship

This is the oath of citizenship:

I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen.

Community groups are often involved in hosting the ceremonies. Citizenship ceremonies take place all across the country and throughout the year.

There are special ceremonies on Canada Day, during Citizenship Week and at other times of the year.