Reasons why your application for a citizenship certificate may be considered incomplete and returned

Your application for a Canadian citizenship certificate may be returned if:

• You used the wrong application form.
• Your application is not fully filled out. If a question does not apply to you, you must write “n/a”  in the space provided.
• You did not sign your application.
• You did not send us the correct fee.
• You did not send the proper photographs.
• You did not have the necessary supporting documents.
• Your documents are in a language other than French or English and you have not sent acceptable translations along with an affidavit from the translator (see the appropriate application for instructions).
• You did not return the Canadian citizenship certificate currently in your possession or you do not provide us with the details of its loss, theft, or destruction.

Reasons why your application for a citizenship certificate may be delayed:

• You did not inform us of a change of address.
• Your documentation does not show the same name or date of birth that is on your application.
• You have been asked to provide additional documents.
• You need to clarify the information you provided.
• You need an interview with a citizenship officer.

Making an inquiry about your application:

• Please inform us of your address changes or contact the Call Centre if you have not received your citizenship certificate within the appropriate processing time.
• Before enquiring about the status of your application please be sure you have waited the appropriate processing time for each step.
• Make sure you have your receipt or file number available when you contact the Call Centre or access e-CAS
• Under Canadian privacy legislation we cannot give information about your application to anyone but you without your written permission.