How can you apply to become a Canadian
citizen?
To apply to become a Canadian citizen, you must follow the
six steps below.
1.
Download an application form.
You must fill in the
“Application for Canadian Citizenship under
Subsection 5(1) – Adults”
form, unless you are applying for children, in which case
you need a separate form for each child. The child’s
form is entitled
“Application for Canadian Citizenship under Paragraph
5(2)(a) – Minors.”
2.
Read the guide "Application for Canadian
Citizenship" before you fill out the
form.
Please read the instructions contained in the guide
carefully before completing the citizenship application
form. The fee for processing your form and your
children’s forms is not refundable, so make sure you
are ready to become a citizen before applying.
3.
Complete the application form and attach the necessary
documents.
Fill in the form and attach photocopies of your documents.
You may be asked for the original documents at the
citizenship test, so don't forget to bring them with you at
that time. It will be mentioned in your invitation to the
test.
These
are the documents you need to include with your adult
application:
A photocopy of your Canadian immigration document called
the
Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
or your
Permanent Resident Card.
A photocopy of
two pieces of identification,
such as your driver’s licence or your health
insurance card.
Two
colour or black-and-white photographs
of yourself that were taken in the past year.
You can download here the instructions for the
photographer. Print it out and bring it with you to your
photographer. In most cases, they know what the
requirements are. The photographs must be stamped on the
back with the photographer’s name and address and the
date the photographs were taken. You cannot wear a head
covering when this photograph is taken unless you need to
because of your religion. You must sign the bottom of the
photographs on the white strip under the picture. Make sure
you sign your usual signature. Check the application form
for more important information about the photographs.
Children who are 14 or older must also sign their
photographs.
A
non-refundable processing fee and a refundable Right of
Citizenship fee
must be paid at the time of application. The fees can be
paid at most financial institutions in Canada and the
original receipt form (IMM 5401) must be submitted
with the application. An original receipt form can be
obtained by using the on-line order form here.
If
you are applying for a child,
you must include a copy of a legal document (for example,
the child’s birth certificate or legal adoption
papers) that shows the names of the parents, or a passport
listing the children. You will also need to submit the
child’s immigration papers, two pieces of
identification, photographs and the fee.
If your documents are not in English or French, you must
provide
the original document,
a
translation
of it and an
affidavit
from the person who completed the translation. Translations
by family members are not acceptable.
Read more about acceptable
Translations
4.
Mail the form and documents to the Case Processing
Centre.
After you have completed the application form, you must
mail it in the pre-addressed envelope to:
Case
Processing Centre
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
P.O. Box 7000
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6V6
Don't
forget to
sign
and date the form and sign your
photographs;
include
the receipt of payment (form
IMM 5401);
include
your application;
include
your photographs; and
include
photocopies of all your documents.
If you have printed the application form from the Web site,
you will have to provide your own envelope to send the
documents to the Case Processing Centre. If you are
applying for more than one person, you should submit all
the forms and documents in the same envelope. You may also
provide a receipt for the entire family.
What happens next?