Application to resume Canadian citizenship under subsection 11(1) (CIT 0301)

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

This is not a legal document. For legal information, refer to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations or the Citizenship Act and Regulations, as applicable.

This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

Overview

This application is for a person who was previously a Canadian citizen, other than a person whose citizenship was revoked under the former or current Act, and who wishes to resume citizenship under subsection 11(1) of the Citizenship Act.  Do not use this application if you automatically reacquired citizenship under amendments to the Citizenship Act that took effect April 17, 2009.

Note: You are not eligible to resume Canadian citizenship under either subsection 11(1) if:

  • you would have had claim to Canadian citizenship on January 1, 1947, but you lost British subject status prior to that date other than by marriage and, therefore, were never a Canadian citizen;

or

  • you had your Canadian citizenship revoked under the 1947 Canadian Citizenship Act or under the current Citizenship Act.

In such cases, you must apply for Canadian citizenship using the Application for Canadian citizenship - Adults (CIT 0002). You can obtain the application guide by visiting our website.

You could lose your present nationality or citizenship if you resume your Canadian citizenship. You should ask the government authorities of the country of your present nationality if your status will be affected.

Note: Are you already a Canadian citizen? New rules on citizenship came into force on April 17, 2009, and restored citizenship to many individuals who have lost it due to former legislation. Citizenship was not restored, however, to people who renounced their citizenship as adults with the Canadian government. For more information, visit our website or the Call Centre.

Before you apply

Read the instructions carefully. They contain important information. Be sure you are eligible the day before you sign and date your application. There is no refund of the processing fee.

Who can apply to resume their Canadian citizenship?

To qualify to resume your Canadian citizenship you must:

  • have been a Canadian citizen;
  • have lost your Canadian citizenship by means other than revocation;
  • not be subject to any prohibition under the Citizenship Act (see Section 8 of the application);
  • not be under a removal order (asked by Canadian officials to leave Canada);
  • have become a permanent resident of Canada after the loss of your Canadian citizenship;
  • have resided in Canada as a permanent resident for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the application.

What you must send with your application

Documents

If this is your first citizenship application you must send original or certified true copies of all your documents. If the documents you are submitting are certified true copies, an authorized person must swear or affirm that the copies are true copies of the originals. An authorized person can be a commissioner of oaths, a notary public or a justice of the peace.

If you have made a citizenship application in the past, you may send a clear and legible photocopy of your documents.

You must send:

  • proof that you were once a Canadian citizen (for example, a birth certificate or a Canadian citizenship certificate);
  • proof that you ceased to be a Canadian citizen (for example, a foreign naturalization certificate or a written notification issued by the Canadian Citizenship authorities advising that you are no longer a Canadian citizen);
  • Canadian immigration record (either your Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292, IMM 5688 or IMM 5509) and both sides of your Permanent Resident Card (PRC) if you have one.
  • at least two (2) pieces of personal identification, one of which must have your photo, such as a driver’s licence or a health insurance card.
  • other documents, such as your marriage certificate and/or legal change of name certificate (if applicable).

Translated documents

If supporting documents are not in English or French (for example, a marriage certificate issued in another country) you must supply a photocopy of each document, a translation and an affidavit from the person who completed the translation. Translations by family members are not acceptable.

Quebec government documents

The following documents issued by the government of Quebec before January 1, 1994 are not accepted

  • baptismal certificates
  • birth certificates, and
  • marriage certificates.

For more information. If you are currently in possession of one of these certificates you must obtain a new document by contacting the office of the Directeur de l’état civil du Québec by visiting their website.

Note: Additional documents may be required during the processing of your application.
Failure to include the necessary documents (e.g., two (2) pieces of identification) will result in delays in processing your application.


Note

Photographs

You must:

  • provide two (2) identical citizenship photographs (except Renunciation applications, only one (1) photo is required);
  • print the Citizenship Photo Specifications page and take it to the photographer to make sure you get the correct size photo;
  • follow the steps explained on the form; and
  • do not staple, glue or otherwise attach the photo directly to the application.

Citizenship fees

Calculating your fees

Use the table below to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid. Fees must be included with this application.

Processing Fee Number of
persons		 Amount per person Amount
due
Resumption of Canadian citizenship   x $100  
Total Payment:  

Explanation of fees and refunds

The following table describes the fees that are required and if they are refundable. All payment must be made in Canadian funds.

Processing Fee

Amount: $100 for each person

Non-refundable once processing has begun, regardless of the final decision.

Incorrect fee payment

Payment issue - No fee included

CIC will return your application.

Note: Processing of your application will only start after you return your application with requested fees.

Payment issue - Insufficient fees included

CIC will return your application.

Note: Processing of your application will only start after you return your application with requested fees.

Payment issue - Overpayment

CIC will:

  • start processing your application, and
  • send you a refund as soon as possible.

Note: You do not have to request a refund, it will be done automatically.


Important information

Payment method options

Preferred method of payment

Payment of fees online is the preferred method of payment.

On line fee payment

Resources required

You can pay your fees on line if you have:

  • a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express)
  • access to a computer with an Internet connection
  • a valid e-mail address
  • access to a printer (you will need to print the receipt)

Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions to pay using the Internet.

  1. Go to the CIC website.
  2. Follow the on-line instructions.

    At the end, click on the button to print the CIC official receipt with barcode.

    Note. Do not exit without printing the receipt (page)!

  3. Fill in the Payer Information Section by hand.

  4. Attach the bottom portion (copy 2) of this receipt to your completed application.

Proof of payment

The receipt printed off of the Internet in step 2 of the instructions above will serve as your proof of payment.

Obtaining an original receipt form–Inside Canada

You may obtain an original receipt form (IMM 5401) by ordering through our website.

Fee payment at financial institutions

If you do not wish to pay using the Internet, payment must be made at a financial institution in Canada. The financial institution will let you know what method of payment it accepts. There is no banking charge to pay at a financial institution.


Note

The only acceptable forms of payment are on-line or through a financial institution in Canada. If you send any other form of payment your application will be returned.

Availability

For clients located inside Canada only.

Resources required

A payment receipt form (IMM 5401) can be ordered through our website.

Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions to pay at a financial institution in Canada.

  1. Calculate the total fee amount to be paid using the chart Calculating your fees at the beginning of this section.

  2. Fill out one (1) payment receipt form (IMM 5401).

    Important information. An original payment receipt form (pink and white) must be used. A photocopy is not acceptable.

    For more information. See: “Obtaining an original receipt form – Inside Canada” in this section.

  3. Insert the total amount paid on line 09 Citizenship or Immigration Services Fees.

    Important information. Do not complete the top two portions of the receipt. These will be completed by the financial institution.

  4. Fill in the Payer Information section on the back of the payment receipt form.

    Do you already have an open file and know the client identification number (client ID) that we have assigned to you?

    • If yes, enter the number in the box provided for that purpose.
    • If no, leave that box empty.

  5. Bring the receipt form and your payment to the teller (cashier) at the financial institution. Do not present your application, only your receipt form.

    The teller (cashier) will:

    • stamp and enter the amount paid in the upper two portions of the receipt form, and
    • give you the top two portions of the form.

    Important information. Do not make payment using the automated teller machines or on a financial institution website.

  6. The following list indicates what you should be doing with the different parts of the IMM 5401 receipt.

    • Copy 1 (top): Keep for your records.
    • Copy 2 (middle): Attach to your completed application.
    • Copy 3 (bottom): The financial institution will keep the bottom part.

Proof of payment

Completed payment receipt form (Original form IMM 5401)

Obtaining an original receipt form–Inside Canada

You may obtain an original receipt form (IMM 5401) by ordering through our website.

How to complete your application

If you are applying for resumption of citizenship under subsection 11(1), before completing the application to resume Canadian citizenship, calculate your residence time to determine whether you qualify to apply now. You must be a permanent resident residing in Canada for at least one year (365 days) immediately before the date you sign your application. Time spent on probation, on parole, or in prison during this year may not qualify as residence time. If you left Canada during this year, you may still apply to resume citizenship, but it will be up to a judge to determine if your absences affect your application. If you have questions about your residence, contact the Call Centre.

Follow the instructions carefully. Delays will result if the application is not properly completed, or if all of the necessary documents have not been submitted. If you need more space to answer any questions use an extra sheet of paper and indicate the number and/or letter of the question you are answering.

Warning: If you send us an application that has any misleading or fraudulent information on it, you can be charged with a criminal offence under federal law and your application to resume citizenship could be refused.

Follow these step-by-step instructions

Section 1

You must indicate whether you would like service in English or French.

Section 2

You must indicate if you have any special needs. Special needs are described as:

  • wheelchair access
  • sign language interpretation
  • personal assistance (for example, you will be accompanied by a care attendant, an interpreter, a seeing eye dog, a sighted guide, etc.)

Section 3

You must indicate if you have ever applied to resume Canadian citizenship before. Check “No” or “Yes”. If “Yes”, indicate when you last applied.

You must indicate if you have ever had a certificate of Canadian citizenship. Check “No” or “Yes”. If you check “Yes”, indicate the family name, given names, certificate number and the date the certificate was issued.

You must indicate whether you have previously returned the certificate of Canadian citizenship and/or the pink transmission copy of a certificate, or whether you are returning it with this application. If the certificate is not being returned, you must tell us if it was stolen, lost, or destroyed. Indicate if the theft or loss was reported to police and give the details, (e.g., a copy of the police report).

You must return any Canadian citizenship certificates in your possession. Failure to do so will result in delays in processing your application.

Section 4

A. Indicate your family name and given name(s), as they appear on your Record of Landing (IMM 1000), Permanent Resident Card (PRC) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292, IMM 5688 or IMM 5509).

B. If you have legally changed your name since obtaining the document used in 5A, indicate what your new name is. Remember to supply a clear and legible photocopy of your legal change of name document (for example, provincial or territorial change of name certificate, court order, marriage certificate, adoption order, divorce decree, etc.).

C. If you have used another name in the past, or are known by a name other than the one you listed above, indicate the name on the application form. (Other names can include your birth name, nicknames, community names, etc.)

D. The name on your certificate of Canadian citizenship will be the same as the one shown on your Record of Landing (IMM 1000), Permanent Resident Card (PRC), or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292, IMM 5688 or IMM 5509) unless you have legally changed it after arriving in Canada. A legal change of name must be supported by a copy of an approved amendment to your Record of Landing, Permanent Resident Card, Confirmation of Permanent Residence, or a provincial/territorial legal change of name document, or a provincial/territorial adoption order.

You may request that the certificate of Canadian citizenship show a different name, if you can provide provincial/territorial identification reading exactly the same as the name you are requesting. Examples of documents that you could provide are: health insurance card, driver’s licence or an official school record issued by the provincial/territorial department responsible for Education. Foreign documentation may also be accepted.

If this change is significant, linking documentation showing the use of both old and new names, or the basis for the change, will be required as well as the provincial/territorial document. Examples of linking documents include a marriage certificate, a foreign change of name certificate, an adoption order, or a foreign passport showing both names.

Note: You cannot request a change of name after your application has been submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Section 5

A. Enter your date of birth exactly as it appears on your Record of Landing (IMM 1000), your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292, IMM 5688 or IMM 5509) or Permanent Resident Card (PRC), or as it appears on your amendment made to these documents, if you have already obtained one. This is the date of birth that will appear on your citizenship certificate.

Note: If you requested an amendment to your Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence, you will need to provide both your original Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence and the letter you received confirming the change(s) you requested have been done.

If the date of birth on the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Permanent Resident Card is not your correct date of birth, it may be possible to change the information in your immigration records. Your Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Permanent Resident Card (PRC) will be changed only to correct mistakes made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada in recording the information you provided when you applied to come to Canada. You must obtain the correct version before submitting your application for citizenship. Do not apply for citizenship until you have received a response to your request. Include your new corrected Permanent Resident Card or the letter of amendment and your original Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence with your citizenship application. You may not change your birth date during the processing of your application for citizenship.

This guide does not provide general information about amending your Record of Landing (IMM 1000), Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292, IMM 5688 or IMM 5509) or Permanent Resident Card (PRC). For information on amending your Record of Landing or your Confirmation of Permanent Residence, refer to the guide Request to Amend the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Valid Temporary Resident Documents (IMM 5218). For information on amending your Permanent Resident Card, refer to the guide Application for a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5445).

Indicate the place and country where you were born.

B. Indicate whether you are male or female, your height, and the colour of your eyes. We need this information for our records. Your eye colour, sex, and height will be shown on your citizenship certificate.

C. Indicate your legal marital status.

Section 6

A. Provide your current home address complete with postal code.

B. If your mailing address is different from your home address, include your mailing address, complete with postal code.

C. We may need to contact you by phone. List the phone number(s) where you can be reached.

D. Indicate how long you have lived at your current home address.

Section 7

In order for a citizenship judge to make an assessment concerning your residence in Canada, in particular for the purpose of assessing whether Canada is the place where you regularly and customarily live, complete Section 8 of the application in detail. You may be asked to provide original documentation to support the statements you make in Section 7.

A. Indicate if you are a citizen of any other countries. If yes, list the dates and country (countries) and how you obtained citizenship.

B. If your most recent certificate of Canadian citizenship was issued before February 15, 1977 or you have never had a certificate, list all absences from Canada for one (1) year or longer before 1977. List from the date you left Canada to the date you returned. Indicate in which country you were living and the reason for the absence.

C. Give the date when you became a permanent resident. Refer to box 45 of your Record of Landing (IMM 1000), box 46 of your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292, IMM 5688 or IMM 5509), or the back of your Permanent Resident Card (PRC).

D. Give the date you returned to Canada to live if different from C.

E. Indicate if you obtained permanent residence in another country since becoming a permanent resident of Canada. If yes, list the country (countries).

F. If you left Canada in the last year (including vacations and all trips to the United States), indicate yes and give details of all the time you spent away from Canada. If you have not travelled outside Canada in the past year, check no and move to section (G).

G. List all of your Canadian and overseas addresses for the last year, including the postal codes.

Section 8

Prohibitions under the Citizenship Act

Certain conditions outlined in the Citizenship Act may affect your application to resume citizenship. To find out if these apply to you, go to Section 8 of the application. If any of the questions in Section 8 of the application apply to you, you must provide details. For further information, contact the Call Centre.

The Registrar of Canadian Citizenship must check with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service, Immigration officials and/or Canadian Border Services Agency officials to find out if there are any criminal or security reasons that could prevent you from resuming Canadian citizenship or if there are any removal orders against you. Also, your entry to Canada and your status will be verified with Immigration officials.

You may be required to provide fingerprints or court documents to ensure that you are not prohibited under the Citizenship Act.

If you received a certificate of Canadian citizenship on or after February 15, 1977, go to Section 13.

Section 9

Check the box to indicate if you have ever lived in Canada. If yes, indicate either since birth or the date you first entered Canada to live.

Section 10

Answer all questions regarding your parents:

  • Indicate the relationship of your parents to you by indicating Natural or Adoptive.
  • Indicate your parents’ family name, given name(s), date of birth and place/country of birth.
  • Indicate where your parents were married (if applicable) and the date of the marriage.
  • Indicate how your parents obtained Canadian citizenship.
  • Indicate if your parents left Canada for more than one (1) year before 1977. If yes, indicate the dates they were away and the country they were in.
  • Indicate if your parents are or were a citizen of a country other than Canada. If yes, indicate the details showing the country, date and how the citizenship was obtained.
  • Indicate if your parents were employed in Canada by a foreign government or international agency. If yes, provide details.
  • If your parents were born in Canada, indicate if one of his or her parents was employed by a foreign government or international agency. If yes, provide details.

Section 11

If you are a woman and married before January 1, 1947:

  • Indicate your husband’s family name, given name(s), country and date of birth.
  • Indicate the country you were married in and the date of your marriage.
  • Indicate if your husband is a Canadian citizen, and if he is, provide the details.
  • Indicate the number from your husband’s citizenship certificate, if he has one, and the date he acquired citizenship.

Provide the above information for each marriage before January 1, 1947.

Section 12

Congratulatory letter

If you check the “yes” box:

  • you authorize Citizenship and Immigration Canada to provide your name, address, sex and preferred official language to your federal Member of Parliament so that he or she can send you a letter of congratulations once your Canadian citizenship is resumed.

If you check the “no” box:

  • Citizenship and Immigration Canada will not forward your information to your Member of Parliament.

Note: If you are not a resident of Canada you do not have to complete Section 12.

Section 13

(a) National Register of Electors – Authorization

Check either the Yes box or the No box to indicate whether or not you authorize Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to give your name, address, gender and date of birth to Elections Canada to be added to the National Register of Electors (the Register). When you become a Canadian citizen and are 18 years of age or older, you have the right to vote in federal elections and referendums. Elections Canada maintains the Register and uses it during a federal election or referendum to produce voters lists and to communicate with eligible voters.

If you check the Yes box, CIC will give your name, address, gender and date of birth to Elections Canada to be added to the Register, but only after your Canadian citizenship has been granted. If you check the No box, CIC will not give your information to Elections Canada. You will still have the right to vote in federal elections and referendums, but you will have to take the necessary steps to be added to the list.

More information about the Register and its uses is available at www.elections.ca. You can also call Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868.

(b) Québec’s Permanent List of Electors - Authorization

For Québec residents only.

When you resume your Canadian citizenship, you will have the right to vote. As soon as you become a Canadian citizen, you may want to have your name entered on Québec’s Permanent List of Electors.

What is Québec’s Permanent List of Electors?

The Permanent List of Electors is the registry of persons who are entitled to vote during elections and referendums in Québec. Those persons whose names appear on this list have the right to vote in provincial, municipal and school elections. The Chief Electoral Officer of Québec is responsible for drawing up and updating the Permanent List of Electors.

If you check the “yes” box in Section 13 (b):

  • You authorize Citizenship and Immigration Canada to provide your name, address, sex and date of birth to the Chief Electoral Officer of Québec so that your name can be added to the Permanent List of Electors;
  • Your information will be provided to the Chief Electoral Officer of Québec only after you resume your Canadian citizenship.

If you check the “no” box in Section 13 (b):

  • Citizenship and Immigration Canada will not give your information to the Chief Electoral Officer of Québec;
  • To be able to vote in a provincial, municipal or school election, you will have to go to the revision office and present two supporting documents to register your name on the list of electors.

Your personal information is protected.

Under the Election Act of Québec, the information provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada to the Chief Electoral Officer may only be used for election purposes. The computer systems of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and those of the Chief Electoral Officer of Québec are not linked. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will not disclose to the Chief Electoral Officer of Québec the information needed to register you on the Permanent List of Electors without your consent.

For more information, call toll-free: 1-888-ELECTION (1-888-353-2846) or visit the Chief Electoral Officer of Québec.

Section 14

You must sign the application with the signature you currently use on other official documents. Indicate where and when (date and place) you signed your application. Make sure you are eligible to resume citizenship before that date because the application fee is not refundable.

The application must be signed and dated before it is sent for processing. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will use the date you sign your application for the purpose of determining whether you meet the applicable criteria. If your application is not signed and dated, it will be returned to you. Your application will also be returned to you if it is stale-dated (we receive an application signed more than three (3) months ago) or if it is post-dated (we receive an application dated into the future).

Make sure that you are eligible to resume Canadian citizenship on the day before you sign the application.

Section 15

The individual, including family members or an authorized officer of a firm or organization, who assisted in the completion of this application, must complete and sign this section.

Where to send your application

On the envelope to mail your application, print:

Affix sufficient postage (top right of the envelope)
Sender (top left of the envelope)
 (Your name)
(Your Address)
(Your Postal Code)
Recipient (centre of the envelope)
 Case Processing Centre - Sydney
Resumption
P.O. Box 10000
SYDNEY, NS  B1P 7C1

If you are sending more than one application (for example, applications for family members), you may send one receipt to cover all applications. Mail the receipt and all applications together in one envelope so that they will be processed together.

What happens next

Once your application is received at the Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Sydney, Nova Scotia, it will be reviewed and processing will begin.

Some applications may encounter delays and require more time for processing. In these cases, you will be contacted for more information, or asked to supply additional documents. You may be asked to appear in person before a citizenship judge.

If you meet the requirements to resume citizenship, your local citizenship office will let you know when and where to go to attend a citizenship ceremony. At the ceremony you will take the oath of citizenship and receive your citizenship certificate.

Checking application status on line

You can check the status of your application on-line by doing the following:

  1. Go to the CIC website.
  2. Select Check application status.
  3. Follow the instructions provided.

Note:  Your application status will only appear on-line once the application is received and the initial review by CIC is completed.

To obtain details on how to remove your application status information from the Internet, visit the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section.

If you reside in Canada:

You can also contact the Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 and speak to an agent.


For more information

Current processing times

Processing time can change. You can obtain current processing times on our website.

Protecting your information

Your personal information is:

  • only available to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it in order to provide the services to you, and
  • not disclosed to anyone else except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act.

For more information. You can obtain additional information on the protection of your data by visiting the Help Centre on our website.


Important information

Updating your contact information

During the application process, you must advise us of any change of address or telephone number by:

  • go to www.cic.gc.ca, click on Change My Address in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of the page,
    or
  • contact the CIC Call Centre by calling 1-888-242-2100.

Note: If your personal situation changes (for example change of marital status, birth of a child, or you wish to withdraw your sponsorship, etc.) after you have submitted your application, you must notify us in writing. For more information, consult our website.

Quality Assurance Program

Our quality assurance program randomly selects applications for a special review. If selected you will be asked to attend an interview with a Citizenship and Immigration official so that we can:

  • verify the documentation you submitted is accurate,
  • verify that your application has been completed properly.

Note: You will be notified in writing should your application be selected.

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