Canadian Citizenship by Descent: Bill C-3 Explained (2026 Guide)

On December 15, 2025, Canada's citizenship rules changed in a way that affects millions of people worldwide. Bill C-3 removed the first-generation limit on Canadian citizenship by descent, meaning you may already be a Canadian citizen -- even if you were born in the United States, Europe, or anywhere else -- as long as you have a direct Canadian ancestor.

This is not a new immigration program. There is no application to "become" a citizen. If you qualify, you already are one. You just need to prove it.

This guide explains who qualifies, how the rules work, what documents you need, and how to apply for your proof of citizenship certificate.

What Is Bill C-3?

Bill C-3, formally titled An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), is a Canadian law that took effect on December 15, 2025. It removed the "first-generation limit" that previously restricted Canadian citizenship by descent to only one generation born outside Canada.

Here is the short version:

• Before Bill C-3: If your parent was born in Canada but you were born abroad, you were Canadian. But if your child was also born abroad, they were not -- citizenship stopped after one generation outside Canada.
• After Bill C-3: Citizenship can now pass through multiple generations born abroad, as long as there is a qualifying Canadian ancestor in the chain.

The law was introduced on June 5, 2025 as a response to an Ontario Superior Court ruling that found the first-generation limit unconstitutional. An earlier version, Bill C-71, was introduced in the previous Parliament but did not pass before the session ended. Bill C-3 replaced it.

Source: IRCC -- Bill C-3 comes into effect

Who Qualifies for Canadian Citizenship by Descent?

The rules are different depending on whether you were born before or after December 15, 2025.

Born or Adopted Before December 15, 2025

If you were born before the law took effect, there is no generational cap. You may be a Canadian citizen if:

• You have a direct Canadian ancestor -- a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or even further back
• The chain of Canadian citizenship has not been formally severed (for example, through renunciation)
• Each person in the chain would have been a Canadian citizen if not for the old first-generation limit

Your parent or grandparent never claimed Canadian citizenship? That does not prevent your claim. What matters is whether they would have qualified as Canadian citizens under the law, regardless of whether they ever applied.

Born or Adopted On or After December 15, 2025

If you were born after the law took effect, the rules include a residency requirement:

• Your Canadian parent who was born or adopted abroad must have spent at least 1,095 days (3 years) physically present in Canada before your birth or adoption
• This requirement ensures a "substantial connection" to Canada

Source: IRCC -- Change to citizenship rules in 2025

The "Lost Canadians" -- Who Is Affected?

The term "Lost Canadians" refers to people who were unknowingly stripped of -- or never received -- Canadian citizenship due to gaps in previous citizenship legislation.

Before Bill C-3, the first-generation limit created a common scenario: a Canadian emigrates to the United States in the 1950s, has children (who are Canadian by descent), and those children have their own children abroad -- who were not Canadian. Multiply this across decades and you get millions of people with Canadian heritage who had no legal claim to citizenship.

Immigration attorney Amandeep Hayer estimated to PBS that "millions of Americans" may now qualify as Canadian citizens under Bill C-3.

The response has been significant. Between December 15, 2025 and January 31, 2026, Canadian immigration authorities confirmed citizenship by descent for 1,480 people. As of early 2026, approximately 56,000 proof-of-citizenship applications were pending with IRCC.

How to Apply for Proof of Citizenship

If you qualify, remember: you are not applying for citizenship. You are applying for proof of citizenship you already hold.

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Before gathering documents, confirm that you have a qualifying Canadian ancestor and that the chain of citizenship has not been broken. IRCC provides a tool on their website to help determine if you may already be a citizen.

See: IRCC -- Find out if you're already a Canadian citizen

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

You will need to establish an unbroken chain from your Canadian ancestor to you. Required documents typically include:

• Birth certificates for each generation in the chain (you, your parent, your grandparent, etc.)
• Marriage certificates where names changed between generations
• Adoption documents where applicable
• Immigration records or any documents proving the original ancestor was a Canadian citizen (e.g., their birth certificate showing birth in Canada, or their own citizenship certificate)
• Government-issued photo ID for the applicant

For multigenerational claims, you may need records from multiple countries and time periods. Provincial vital statistics offices and the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec have seen a dramatic increase in requests for certified copies of historical records.

Step 3: Complete Form CIT 0001

The form you need is CIT 0001 -- Application for a Citizenship Certificate for Adults and Minors (Proof of Citizenship) under Section 3.

You can download it from: IRCC -- Application for a citizenship certificate

Each person in the family needs a separate application and fee.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

You can apply online or by paper. However, for complex multigenerational claims, paper filing may be more practical because the online system may not reliably handle cases requiring extensive supporting documentation.

Online applications are submitted through the IRCC online portal.

Fees for Proof of Citizenship

The fee structure for proof of citizenship is much simpler than a full citizenship application:

The $75 is the government filing fee per application. Each person applying needs their own application and fee. This is not the same as the $653 fee for a naturalization application -- that applies only to people becoming citizens through the standard immigration process.

Additional costs may include obtaining certified vital records from provincial offices, document translation, and potentially legal assistance for complex cases.

Source: IRCC -- Citizenship and immigration fees

Processing Times

As of early 2026, IRCC is quoting approximately 9 to 12 months for proof-of-citizenship applications. However, actual processing times are lengthening month over month due to increased volumes from Bill C-3.

For context:

• In mid-2024, processing took roughly 3 months
• By early 2026, it had risen to approximately 10-12 months
• As of March 2026, approximately 48,000 people were waiting for a decision on their certificate application

Processing times vary by case complexity. Simple cases (one generation, straightforward documentation) tend to be processed faster. Multigenerational claims with name discrepancies, records from multiple countries, or gaps in documentation take longer.

Check the latest processing times on the IRCC processing times page.

Dual Citizenship: Can You Be Both Canadian and American?

Yes. Both Canada and the United States permit dual citizenship.

• Canada has allowed dual citizenship since 1977. Acquiring another nationality does not affect your Canadian citizenship.
• The United States permits dual citizenship. American citizens who acquire Canadian citizenship do not automatically lose their U.S. citizenship.

You do not need to choose one or the other. You can hold both a Canadian and U.S. passport simultaneously.

There are practical considerations to be aware of:

• Tax obligations: Both countries require citizens to file taxes. The U.S. taxes worldwide income regardless of where you live. Canada and the U.S. have a tax treaty to prevent double taxation, but you should consult a cross-border tax professional.
• Travel: Dual citizens must enter Canada on a Canadian passport and enter the U.S. on a U.S. passport.
• Military obligations: Both countries have rules around military service for dual citizens.

Source: IRCC -- What is dual citizenship?

Do I Need to Take the Citizenship Test?

No -- not if you are a citizen by descent.

The Canadian citizenship test applies only to people who are becoming citizens through naturalization -- that is, immigrants who have lived in Canada as permanent residents and are applying for citizenship through the standard process.

If you are already a Canadian citizen by descent under Bill C-3, the test does not apply to you. You are not "becoming" a citizen. You already are one. Your application for a citizenship certificate is simply proof of that existing status.

Here is a quick comparison:

If you are preparing for the citizenship test through the naturalization path, our complete study guide and daily practice questions can help.

What Happens After You Receive Your Certificate?

Once IRCC confirms your citizenship and issues your citizenship certificate, you can:

• Apply for a Canadian passport at any Service Canada office or by mail
• Sponsor family members for permanent residence under family class immigration (processing typically takes 11-14 months for spousal sponsorship)
• Live and work in Canada without any visa or work permit
• Access Canadian consular services worldwide
• Vote in Canadian elections (if you meet residency requirements for a specific riding)

You do not need to take an oath of citizenship. The oath applies only to naturalization applicants. You also do not need to attend a citizenship ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim Canadian citizenship through my grandparent or great-grandparent?

Yes, if you were born before December 15, 2025. Bill C-3 removed the first-generation limit, so citizenship can now flow through multiple generations. You need to establish an unbroken chain from your Canadian ancestor to you, with documents proving each link.

My parent was born in Canada but never told me I was Canadian. Am I still a citizen?

Likely yes. If your parent was born in Canada and you were born abroad, you were a Canadian citizen by descent under the old rules (first-generation limit). Whether your parent told you or not does not affect your legal status. Apply for a citizenship certificate to confirm.

Is there a deadline to apply for proof of citizenship under Bill C-3?

No. Because Bill C-3 recognizes citizenship retroactively as a legal right, there is no deadline. However, given current processing times of 9-12 months, applying sooner means receiving your certificate sooner.

How much does it cost to prove Canadian citizenship by descent?

The government filing fee is $75 CAD per person. Additional costs may include certified vital records ($25-50 each from provincial offices), document translation, and potentially legal assistance for complex multigenerational claims. Some applicants successfully file independently without legal help.

Can I be a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States?

Yes. Both countries allow dual citizenship. You do not need to renounce one to hold the other. Be aware that both countries have tax filing obligations for their citizens, regardless of where they live.

Do I need to take the Canadian citizenship test if I qualify by descent?

No. The citizenship test applies only to people becoming citizens through naturalization (the immigration pathway). If you are already a citizen by descent, there is no test, no language requirement, and no oath of citizenship.

My ancestor was Canadian but renounced their citizenship. Can I still claim it?

If your ancestor formally renounced their Canadian citizenship, the chain may be broken. However, many people who emigrated from Canada decades ago did not formally renounce -- they simply let their status lapse or were unaware they held it. Consult the IRCC eligibility tool or a qualified immigration professional to assess your specific situation.

What if I was adopted? Does Bill C-3 apply to me?

Yes. Bill C-3 applies equally to birth and adoption. If you were adopted by a Canadian citizen (or by someone who would have been a Canadian citizen), you may qualify for citizenship by descent under the same rules.

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Citizenship by descent means you may not need the test -- but if you are becoming Canadian through naturalization, preparation matters. CitizenPrep covers all 850+ concepts from the Discover Canada guide with adaptive practice and a daily question delivered to your inbox. Start free -- no credit card required.