Frequently asked questions:
Applying for citizenship

Proof of citizenship

Could I be a Canadian citizen and not know it?

In general, if you were born in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen. This may not apply if you were born in Canada and at the time of your birth, one of your parents was in Canada with diplomatic status and your other parent was neither a Canadian citizen nor a permanent resident.

You may also be a Canadian if you were born in another country after February 14, 1977, and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth.

Under the previous law, if you were born in another country after February 14, 1977, to a Canadian parent who was also born in another country to a Canadian parent, you needed to take steps to retain your citizenship before turning 28 years of age.

On April 17, 2009 the law changed to end the need to retain citizenship for many people. However, people born outside Canada who were subject to the retention rules and who turned 28 before the new law came into force would have lost their citizenship if they did not take steps to retain it.

Also, if you were born outside Canada and your parent was a Canadian citizen when you were born, your child born in another country on or after April 17, 2009 will not be a Canadian citizen by birth, unless the child’s other parent:

• was born in Canada; or
  
• immigrated to Canada and was granted citizenship.

Find out more about the new law and who is affected.

You may be a Canadian if you were born in another country before February 15, 1977, and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth.

When the new law came into effect, Canadian citizenship was restored to many people who lost it in the past. If you were born in another country, between January 1, 1947 and February 15, 1977, and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen when you were born or is someone who regained citizenship under the new law, you may also be a Canadian citizen under the new law. Find out if you are a Canadian citizen under the new law.

Find more information about proof of citizenship in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

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Related Links

• Proof of citizenship