According to Maple News, individuals born outside Canada may still be eligible for Canadian citizenship if at least one of their parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of their birth. This eligibility is determined through a process known as applying for ‘proof of citizenship,’ which confirms legal Canadian citizenship status.
This route is open to foreign nationals whose biological or legal parent was already a Canadian citizen when they were born. However, the law stipulates that this is limited strictly to first-generation descendants. That means you are only eligible if your parent—not a grandparent or other extended relative—was a Canadian citizen. Furthermore, being adopted by a Canadian citizen after birth does not qualify you for proof of citizenship through this route.
To begin the process, prospective applicants must complete a dedicated application through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be done online or via paper, depending on certain conditions. For example, if your Canadian parent was born in Canada on or after February 15, 1977, or was granted citizenship on or after April 17, 2009, then you may file your application online. Otherwise, a paper submission is required.
Applicants must submit proof that at least one parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of their birth. Accepted documents include a Canadian birth certificate, citizenship card, or citizenship certificate belonging to the parent.
There is a $75 fee associated with the application. Once submitted, IRCC’s current processing time for granting a Canadian citizenship certificate is approximately 10 months. This document serves as official proof of citizenship and can be used for future travel, work, or immigration purposes.
Notably, the application can be filed regardless of whether your Canadian parent is alive or deceased. There’s no age restriction, and the process can be initiated at any point in life.
Maple News reports that for many foreign nationals with Canadian parentage, this process is a valuable pathway to reclaiming their citizenship rights and accessing opportunities in Canada without undergoing traditional immigration channels.