Maple News reports that Canada’s processing time for proof of Canadian citizenship certificates has risen to about 12 months in the second quarter, following a major change to the Citizenship Act. The figure marks a sharp increase from July 2025, when the processing time was about five months.
The surge is being driven predominantly by Americans, many now eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent through ancestral ties, who need the proof of citizenship certificate to obtain a Canadian passport. In the most recent period, more than 14,000 new applicants joined the queue.
What sparked the surge is a December 15, 2025 change to the Citizenship Act that eliminated the first-generation limit for citizenship by descent for those born before that date. Today, anyone born before December 15, 2025 who can prove a continuous line of descent from a Canadian ancestor can apply, including U.S. citizens whose families have lived in the United States for generations. For many, the move is also seen as a practical hedge—a second passport in uncertain times.
Data indicate Americans are leading the demand. In January 2026, U.S. citizens accounted for the largest share of citizenship-by-descent applications, surpassing all other top source countries combined. Canadian archives have also felt the impact, with the Quebec National Archives (BAnQ) noting a dramatic increase in requests for vital records needed to prove descent—reported as roughly a 3,000% rise.
For those exploring eligibility, dual citizenship offers full rights and privileges in both countries. As Canadian citizens, individuals can live and work anywhere in Canada, access publicly funded healthcare when residing there, and purchase real estate. A Canadian passport generally provides broad visa-free access and remains highly ranked globally. While obtaining Canadian citizenship does not, by itself, impose new worldwide tax obligations on U.S. citizens, tax rules depend on residency and other factors rather than citizenship alone.
Who qualifies under the new framework? Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, makes eligible anyone born before December 15, 2025 who can trace a continuous line of descent from a Canadian ancestor, regardless of where they were born or whether their ancestors ever lived in Canada. Although widespread among Americans, there is notable historical concentration in New England due to the large-scale settlement of French Canadians in the region between 1840 and 1930.
To apply for a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate, applicants typically need documents establishing their descent from a Canadian ancestor—such as birth, baptismal, marriage, or death records. Processing times are calculated with a forward-looking approach, based on current queue size, available staffing, and expected incoming applications, and are refreshed monthly. Because volumes can shift quickly, applicants should monitor official processing times and be prepared for possible further changes.