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Dual Citizenship in Canada: Document Requirements & Notarization Guide | Minute Notary Blog | Minute Notary
Immigration Dual Citizenship in Canada: Document Requirements & Notarization Guide Complete guide to document requirements for dual citizenship in Canada. Learn what documents you need, what requires notarization, and how to navigate citizenship applications.
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Minutes Notary
Notary Public • Ottawa, ON
Understanding Dual Citizenship in Canada
Canada allows dual citizenship, meaning you can be a citizen of Canada and another country simultaneously. This guide covers the document requirements for:
Applying for Canadian citizenship while keeping your original nationality
Maintaining foreign citizenship while becoming Canadian
Proving citizenship for various legal and travel purposes
Who Can Have Dual Citizenship?
Becoming a Dual Citizen
You can become a dual citizen if:
You're a Canadian citizen acquiring another country's citizenshipYou're a foreign citizen becoming Canadian without renouncing your original citizenshipYou were born with dual citizenship (e.g., Canadian parent abroad, or born in Canada to foreign parents)
Important: While Canada allows dual citizenship, your other country may not. Some countries require you to renounce previous citizenship when naturalizing. Check your home country's laws.
Canadian Citizenship Application Documents
To become a Canadian citizen, you'll need extensive documentation:
1. Identity Documents
Passport Certified copy of all pagesPermanent Resident Card Certified copy (front and back) Birth certificate Certified copy with translation if needed Travel documents Certified copies
2. Proof of Permanent Residence You must prove you've been a PR for sufficient time:
Document Purpose PR Card history Shows initial PR date IMM 1000 or COPR Confirmation of Permanent Residence Passport stamps Travel history Entry/exit records Proving physical presence
3. Physical Presence Calculation You need 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada within the 5 years before applying. Documents to prove this include:
Employment records (pay stubs, T4s, contracts)
Tax returns (CRA documents)
School records
Rental agreements or mortgage statements
Utility bills
Bank statements showing Canadian transactions
Tip: Keep detailed records of all your travel. You'll need to account for every day you were outside Canada.
4. Language Proficiency If you're 18-54, you must prove English or French proficiency:
IELTS General (CLB 4+ in speaking and listening)
CELPIP General
TEF Canada
Canadian high school/post-secondary diploma
Foreign degree from English/French instruction (may need evaluation)
5. Tax Filing Compliance You must have filed taxes for at least 3 years within the 5-year period:
Notice of Assessment (NOA) from CRA
Tax returns
Non-filing letters (if you weren't required to file)
Proof of Canadian Citizenship Documents If you're already a Canadian citizen and need to prove it:
Citizenship Certificate The primary document proving Canadian citizenship. If you've lost yours:
Birth Certificate + Passport For citizens born in Canada:
Original or certified copy of birth certificate
Valid Canadian passport
Certificate of Citizenship for Children Born Abroad If your child was born abroad to a Canadian parent:
Document Requirement Child's birth certificate Original + certified copy Canadian parent's citizenship proof Birth certificate or citizenship certificate Parent's passport Certified copy Proof of parentage If not listed on birth certificate
Renunciation and Retention Documents
Retaining Canadian Citizenship Canada doesn't require you to do anything special to retain citizenship when acquiring another nationality. Your Canadian citizenship remains valid unless you formally renounce it.
Renouncing Canadian Citizenship If you choose to renounce (for countries requiring single citizenship):
Document Requirement Application form Signed, often notarized Citizenship proof Certificate or birth certificate Passport Current Canadian passport Statutory declaration Confirming voluntary renunciation Proof of other citizenship New country's citizenship document
Resuming Canadian Citizenship If you previously renounced and want to resume:
Document Requirement Proof of previous citizenship Old certificates, passports Current citizenship Of other country Reason for renunciation Written explanation Current status Immigration documents if in Canada
Foreign Citizenship Requirements When applying for citizenship in another country while maintaining Canadian status, you'll typically need:
Common Documents for Foreign Naturalization Document Notary Service Canadian birth certificate Certified copy Canadian passport Certified copy Proof of residence Various documents Police certificate From Canada (RCMP) Marriage certificate Certified copy Parental birth certificates Certified copies (for citizenship by descent)
Authentication for Foreign Use Documents used abroad often need:
Notarization — We provide this service Provincial authentication — Verifies notary's signatureFederal authentication — Global Affairs CanadaApostille or embassy legalization — Depends on destination country
Citizenship by Descent Documents If you're claiming citizenship based on ancestry:
Canadian Citizenship by Descent For children born abroad to Canadian parents (first generation):
Document Requirement Child's foreign birth certificate Original + certified copy Canadian parent's citizenship proof Birth certificate, certificate, or passport Proof of parentage Listed on birth certificate or additional documents Parent's ID Certified copies
Note: Citizenship by descent is limited to the first generation born abroad.
Foreign Citizenship by Descent Many countries offer citizenship to descendants of their nationals. Common requirements:
Document Requirement Ancestor's birth certificate From that country Your birth certificate Certified copy Proof of lineage Birth/marriage certificates connecting you to ancestor Your passport Certified copy Statutory declarations Confirming family history
Countries offering citizenship by descent include: Ireland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Israel, and many others.
Notarized Documents for Citizenship Several citizenship documents require or benefit from notarization:
Documents That Typically Need Notarization
Certified copies Statutory declarations
Name variations
Relationship to ancestors
Lost documents
Renunciation intent
Affidavits Consent forms if applying on behalf of minors
Translation Requirements Foreign language documents must be translated. Translation packages should include:
Original document or certified copy
Certified translation
Translator's certification
Notarized translator signature
Common Dual Citizenship Scenarios
Scenario 1: Indian Citizen Becoming Canadian India doesn't allow dual citizenship, but offers OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) status:
Complete Canadian citizenship process
Apply for OCI card
Surrender Indian passport
Keep certified copies of Indian documents
Scenario 2: Canadian Seeking Irish Citizenship Through the Foreign Birth Registry if you have an Irish grandparent:
Gather birth certificates proving lineage
Get certified copies of all documents
Have documents notarized and authenticated
Apply through Irish embassy
Scenario 3: Child Born Abroad to Canadian Parent Register for Canadian citizenship certificate:
Gather parent's Canadian citizenship proof
Get child's foreign birth certificate
Obtain certified copies
Apply through IRCC
Costs to Budget
Canadian Citizenship Fees Fee Amount Adult application $630 Minor application $100 Right of citizenship fee Included Citizenship certificate replacement $75
Document Preparation Costs Service Approximate Cost Certified copies $20-35 each Statutory declarations $25-35 Translations $30-100 per page Provincial authentication $40-80 Federal authentication $45 RCMP police certificate $25 + fingerprinting
Processing Times Application Type Timeline Canadian citizenship (adult) 12-27 months Canadian citizenship (minor) 5-17 months Citizenship certificate replacement 3-10 months Proof of citizenship 5-17 months
Note: Times vary significantly and change frequently. Check IRCC for current estimates.
Tips for Dual Citizenship Applications
✓ Start Document Gathering Early Some documents take months to obtain:
RCMP police certificates: 3-10 weeks
Foreign documents: Varies widely
Birth certificate replacements: 2-8 weeks
✓ Keep Multiple Copies
The application itself
Future passport applications
Other legal matters
✓ Document Your Travel History Keep detailed records of:
All trips outside Canada
Entry and exit dates
Countries visited
✓ Maintain Tax Compliance File Canadian taxes every year, even if you owe nothing.
✓ Understand Both Countries' Laws
Require military service
Have different tax obligations
May not recognize dual citizenship in all contexts
How We Can Help At Minutes Notary, we assist with dual citizenship documentation:
We understand the complexity of citizenship documentation and provide careful, accurate service.
Ready to Prepare Your Documents? Whether you're becoming a Canadian citizen or claiming citizenship elsewhere, we're here to help. Book an appointment with Minutes Notary today.
Related Articles #citizenship #dual citizenship #immigration #passport #Canada
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