Applying for citizenship
The citizenship certificate is changing. As of February 1, 2012, new citizens will need to wait at least two business days after their citizenship ceremony before applying for services such as a passport. Find out more.
Canadians are proud to hold one of the most prized citizenships in the world.
Every year about 170,000 people become new citizens of Canada.
If you want to become a Canadian citizen, you must:
- Determine if you are eligible to become a citizen.
- Apply for citizenship.
- Verify the status of your application and prepare for the citizenship test.
Use the citizenship study guide entitled Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship to prepare for your test - Take the citizenship test, if you are between the ages of 18 and 54.
- Attend a citizenship ceremony, if you are 14 or older.
If you are preparing for the citizenship test, study CIC’s official study guide – Discover Canada – which is provided for free. If you use any other publications, you do so at your own risk. Find out more
Learn about:
- Residence calculator
Find out if you have lived in Canada long enough to apply for citizenship. - Proof of citizenship
Information on the citizenship certificate—an 8½ x 11 paper size certificate that provides proof you that you are a citizen of Canada - Citizenship for adopted people
Information on the citizenship process for adopted people. - Resuming citizenship
What you need to know if you gave up your Canadian citizenship in the past and want to become a Canadian citizen again - Renouncing citizenship
The steps to take if you must give up your Canadian citizenship - Search of records
How to search the citizenship records of Canada to confirm if a citizenship certificate was issued to you in the past - Fingerprinting services for citizenship applicants
Information for citizenship applicants who have been asked to submit their fingerprints. - Frequently asked questions
Answers to questions Citizenship and Immigration Canada is often asked about citizenship - New citizenship rules
Information for those born outside Canada or with questions about their citizenship