Get 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.

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 that contains:

• 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 citizenship certificate

Example of the new citizenship certificate, available as of March 31, 2013, or when old stock is depleted:

Citizenship certificates issued before March 31, 2013, remain valid.

Examples of the older citizenship certificates:

Other documents accepted as proof of citizenship

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

• Canadian Passport
• Canadian provincial or territorial birth certificates are often enough to prove that you are a Canadian citizen
  • 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)