Apply – Resuming citizenship

To apply to resume your Canadian citizenship, you must do the following:

1. Get application package

The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.

Read the guide carefully before you complete the application form.

The application package contains instructions. Read those instructions, and be sure to provide the required documents. If information or documents are missing, your application may be delayed.

First-time applicants

If this is the first time you have applied for citizenship, you will need to send the original or a clear and easily readable certified copy of the required documents.

If those documents are not in English or French, you must provide the original documents or clear and easily readable certified copies, a translation of them, and an affidavit from the person who did the translation. Translations by family members are not acceptable.

Previous applicants

If you have applied for citizenship in the past, you may provide photocopies of the required documents.

2. Pay application fees

The fee is $100. The fee for processing your form is not refundable, so make sure you are eligible to resume your Canadian citizenship before you apply.

Payment of fees online is the preferred method of payment.

To pay your fees online, you must:

  • Have a PDF Reader.
  • Have a printer.
  • Have a valid email address.
  • Pay with a Visa®, MasterCard® or American Express® credit card.
  • Print the “receipt of payment” page and include it with your application.
  • Pay your fees online when you are ready.

To pay your fees at a financial institution in Canada, you must:

  • Obtain an original payment receipt form (IMM 5401): Order it online or contact the Call Centre.
  • Fill the receipt form and bring it with you when you go to pay your fees.
  • Include the completed payment receipt form (IMM 5401) with your application.

To pay your fees at the Canadian consular mission (embassy, high commission or consulate) responsible for your area, you must:

  • Find out which method of payment is required. The consular mission determines the payment method (cheque, money order, cash).

For more detailed instructions, read the “Citizenship Fees” section of the application guide.

3. Submit application

Mail your completed application form and the required documents to

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Case Processing Centre – Sydney
Resumption
P.O. Box 10000
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 7C1

If your application is signed more than three months before we receive it or if it is dated into the future, we will send it back to you.

Processing time

Find out how long it will take CIC to process your application.