Citizenship and Immigration Canada
www.cic.gc.ca
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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 are also 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.
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 may need to take steps to retain your citizenship before you turn 28 years of age.
On April 17, 2009 the law will change to end the need to retain citizenship for many people. However, people born outside Canada who are subject to the retention rules and who turn 28 before the new law comes into effect must still take action to retain citizenship.
Also, if you were born outside Canada and your parent was a Canadian citizen when you were born, your child born in another country after the new law comes into effect will not be a Canadian citizen by birth.
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 comes into effect, Canadian citizenship will be 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 will regain citizenship under the new law, you may also become a Canadian citizen under the new law. Find out if you will become 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.
