See if you may be a citizen

In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first-generation limit for many individuals is unconstitutional.

However, the Court has suspended the declaration until December 19, 2024. This means that the current rules still apply until further notice.

• how the first-generation limit affects you
• what you can apply for (including urgent application, if applicable)

There are a few ways you can become a Canadian citizen without applying to be one. In these cases, you may still want to get proof of citizenship.

There are also times when you might think you became a citizen, but you did not. In those cases, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship.

You’re likely a Canadian citizen if you

• were born in Canada
• became a citizen because of changes to the Citizenship Act
• applied for and received your Canadian citizenship (became a naturalized citizen)
• received Canadian citizenship as a minor when a parent or legal guardian applied for your citizenship
• were born outside Canada and at least 1 of your parents (legal parent at birth [opens in a new tab] or biological parent) either
  • was born in Canada, or
  • became a naturalized citizen before you were born

  You likely aren’t a Canadian citizen if you

  • were born in Canada to foreign diplomats
  • had your citizenship taken away (revoked)
  • renounced your Canadian citizenship and never applied to get it back

  You aren’t automatically a Canadian citizen if you

  • marry a Canadian citizen
  • are adopted by a Canadian citizen
  • have your refugee claim accepted
  • live in Canada as a permanent resident for many years
  • were born outside Canada to Canadian parent(s) on or after April 17, 2009, but neither parent was born or naturalized in Canada

  To find out if you might have a claim to Canadian citizenship, use our Am I a Canadian? tool.

  Applying for proof of Canadian citizenship is the formal way to find out if you’re a citizen. We don’t refund fees, even if you apply for proof of citizenship and find out you aren’t a citizen.

  You keep your citizenship if you were a Canadian citizen the day before the 2009 and 2015 changes to the law came into effect.

  For more information

  The physical presence calculator will be unavailable from 10:00 am to 10:15 am Eastern time, on Thursday, August 6, 2020 in order to perform system maintenance.

  Our online services are unavailable. Please try again later. Thank you for your patience.

  • Find out if you have the language proof you need to apply for citizenship
  • Calculate time in Canada
  • Find out if you’re already a citizen