Proof of citizenship: After applying

Once your application for a citizenship certificate is received at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, it will be reviewed and we will start processing it.

  • To find out how long it takes to process applications for citizenship certificates, see processing times.

If your case is complex, we may contact you to get more information or to ask you to send us additional documentation. Such cases may take longer to process.

If your application is approved, we will mail you your citizenship certificate.

If your application cannot be approved, you will be informed in writing.

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Brochure: How to Obtain Proof of Canadian Citizenship

The information on this website is also available in the How to Obtain Proof of Canadian Citizenship brochure. You may view and print this brochure in these formats: