Citizenship and Immigration Canada
www.cic.gc.ca
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International adoption:
The citizenship process —
How to apply
How to apply for Canadian citizenship for the adopted person
- Obtain an application package.
- Read the guide.
- Complete the application forms and attach the necessary documents.
- Pay the fees and get the necessary receipts.
- Mail the application forms and documents.
1. Obtain an application package.
There are two parts to the application process for Canadian citizenship:
- Part 1 – The Confirmation of Canadian citizenship of the adoptive parent(s) to confirm that at least one adoptive parent is a Canadian citizen.
- Part 2 – The Adoptee’s Application to assess the adopted person’s eligibility for Canadian citizenship.
The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.
2. Read the guide.
Read the guide carefully before you complete the citizenship application forms. The fee for processing the form is not refundable, so make sure you are eligible before you apply. You should contact your provincial or territorial authority or government officials of the country where you reside before you begin your application with Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
3. Complete the application forms and attach the necessary documents.
The application kit contains instructions. Read those instructions, and be sure to provide the required documents. If information or documents are missing, your application may be delayed.
If your documents are not in English or French, you must provide a clear and easily readable certified true copy of the originals, a translation of them and an affidavit from the person who did the translation. Translations by family members are not acceptable.
If you are a legal guardian applying on behalf of a child, you must also provide legal documentation proving guardianship.
4. Pay the fees and get the necessary receipts.
The fee is $100 if the adopted child is under 18 years of age. The fee is $200 if the adopted person is 18 years of age and older.
Payment of fees online is the preferred method of payment for both inside and outside Canada.
You can also pay the fee at most banks in Canada.
You can pay fees:
- online through Pay my application fees in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. Once you have paid your fees online, you must print a receipt of payment form and include it with your application. Be sure to print the actual receipt, not the “payment confirmation form” page. See Payment of fees on the Internet in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page for more information.
- at most banks. If you use this method, you must get an original receipt of payment (form IMM 5401) to bring with you when you pay. This form is not available online. You must have it mailed to you. See Order a receipt of payment (IMM 5401) in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
If you live outside Canada and you do not have access to the Internet, you can make your payment by International bank draft or money order in Canadian funds only. If you send any other form of payment from outside Canada, your application will be returned.
5. Mail the application forms and documents.
Mail your completed application forms, along with the required documents and fees, to
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Case Processing Centre – Sydney – ADOPTION
P.O. Box 10030
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 7C1
If your application is not signed, dated or the fees are not included, it will be returned to you.
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