Maple News reports that this spring thousands of Americans are pursuing what they see as a reliable backup plan: Canadian citizenship. In December, Canada removed the generational limit on inheriting citizenship for people born before December 15, 2025, expanding eligibility for millions. The policy shift broadens access to dual citizenship for Americans with qualifying ancestry.
Since the change, the wait for proof of Canadian citizenship certificates has more than doubled—from about five months mid-2025 to roughly ten months today. Provincial archives, which hold the official copies of documents proving ancestry, are buckling under demand.
Quebec’s national archives reported a roughly 3,000% surge in requests. Nova Scotia recorded more requests in the first three months of 2026 than in all of 2024, while New Brunswick’s inquiries have quadrupled, creating a backlog of over a thousand requests, with around 400 new files arriving each month.
Most requests come from Americans, many of whom have no immediate plans to move to Canada. They cite concerns about shifts in immigration policy, birthright citizenship debates, and broader unease in a rapidly changing political landscape.
Dual citizens can enjoy full rights to live, work, and enter Canada, subject to standard immigration rules. On taxation, Canada operates a residency-based system rather than taxing solely by citizenship; in other words, Canadian tax obligations depend on residency and source of income, not citizenship alone. This nuance matters for Americans weighing a passport backup.
How to apply: If you have any Canadian ancestor, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent. Submit a complete application to Canada’s citizenship department with official documents proving your ancestry, such as birth and marriage records. After you receive the citizenship certificate, you can apply for a Canadian passport, with passport processing typically taking 10 to 20 business days. Officials advise applicants to use official government channels to verify eligibility and requirements.