If you’re an American looking to obtain proof of Canadian citizenship, you may be wondering…
“Do I have a birthright to Canadian citizenship?”
Well, if one or both of your parents was born in Canada, then you do!
Even if you were born in the US and you are an American citizen, you are entitled to a Canadian certificate of citizenship by default due to your lineage.
But, how exactly do you gain Canadian citizenship?
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about obtaining Canadian citizenship by descent.
Let’s dive in.
Required Qualifications to Get Canadian Citizenship by Birthright
Even if you were born outside of Canada, you may still be eligible for Canadian citizenship.
You have a legal birthright to Canadian citizenship as long as one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time you were born.
Something to keep in mind is that you don’t technically need to become a Canadian citizen to acquire citizenship.
You just need to apply for proof of citizenship.
In most scenarios, gaining your proof of Canadian citizenship would make you a dual citizen of Canada and the US (or whatever country you were born in).
You may be eligible for proof of Canadian citizenship if:
- You were born outside Canada but one of your parents was a Canadian citizen when you were born.
- If your child was born outside Canada but your child’s parent (either you or the other parent) was a Canadian citizen when your child was born.
- If you were born outside Canada but any of your grandparents were a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth.
- If you were, in fact, born inside Canada but for whatever reason you quickly moved to a different country and never gained Canadian citizenship.
The most common path to gaining proof of Canadian citizenship is by having a parent that is a Canadian citizen. You should keep in mind that your parents may be Canadian citizens without having been born in Canada.
Many people become naturalized citizens of Canada which means they were born in a different country, but still acquired Canadian citizenship.
According to Statista, between 105,000 and 262,000 people became naturalized citizens in Canada every year between 2011 and 2020.
It’s important to note that a Canadian citizenship certificate isn’t an identity document or travel document.
In order to travel internationally, you’ll need a passport.
However, once you have your Canadian citizenship certificate, you will be eligible to apply for a Canadian passport.
Benefits of Obtaining Proof of Canadian Citizenship Certificate
There are only so many things you can do in Canada if you aren’t a citizen.
However, if you are able to gain proof of Canadian citizenship, you will be allowed to do the following:
- Live in Canada
- Study in Canada
- Work in Canada
You can still do any of these three in limited capacities without citizenship.
However, with citizenship, the benefits above are all available to you without needing a permit.
This makes it much easier for you to freely move to Canada.
You can live, work, or study for long periods of time without having to constantly jump through a ton of hoops just to live in the country.
The Process to Obtain Canadian Citizenship Certificate
In order to prove your citizenship, you need to obtain a Canadian Certificate of Citizenship.
Before you can gain your certificate, you will need to submit an application.
Keep in mind, you’ll need to have all required documents ready when you apply.
Your best option is to reach out to a Canadian lawyer to help you through the application process.
You can contact Falcon Law to assist you in completing a successful Canadian Citizenship application.
It costs $75 Canadian Dollars to apply.
The entire process is very long. It can take anywhere from 1-2 years on average, so you’ll want to fill out and submit your application as soon as possible.
Looking to Obtain Canadian Birthright Citizenship as an American?
Are you a US citizen?
Do you have Canadian lineage?
Are you looking to obtain Canadian citizenship through birthright?
If so, you’ll want to reach out to a Canadian lawyer to help you with the process.
Applying for your proof of Canadian citizenship is extensive and can be complicated depending on your situation. A large number of applicants are rejected due to missing documents or application errors.
If your application requires a correction, it will have to be returned to you, which can delay the entire process by at least three months.
If you need help gaining your Canadian citizenship, or for help immigrating from the US into Canada, reach out to us at Falcon Law.
Right now, we’re offering free virtual consultations to help Americans obtain Canadian citizenship in Canada.
Click here to book a consultation today.
