Step 1 of 4
Gather Documents
Before you fill out a single form, you need to collect the right documents for every person in your chain of descent. This is the most time-consuming step — start early.
Long-Form Birth Certificates
You need a long-form birth certificate for every person in your chain of descent — from you all the way back to the Canadian-born (or naturalized) anchor ancestor. This is the single most important document category.
What counts as “long-form”?
The certificate must show the child's full name, date of birth, place of birth, and both parents' full names. If any of these are missing, it's the wrong format.
Not accepted by IRCC
- Short-form birth certificates
- Computer abstracts (wallet-sized cards)
- Baptismal certificates (unless no government record exists — see Quebec note below)
- Hospital-issued birth records
Order from the vital statistics office of the province or state where each person was born. Processing times vary from days to weeks — don't wait. See our Resources page for links to every Canadian provincial office and US ordering services.
Quebec Ancestors
Quebec did not have government birth registration until 1994. Before that, births were recorded by churches (primarily Catholic parish registers). If your ancestor was born in Quebec before 1994:
- Start with the Directeur de l'état civil — request a “copie d'acte de naissance” (the Quebec equivalent of a long-form birth certificate). Many pre-1994 church records have been transferred to the civil registry.
- If the Directeur has no record, request a “lettre de recherche négative” (negative search letter), then obtain a certified baptismal extract from the parish or diocesan archives.
- Include a cover letter explaining Quebec's civil registration history to the IRCC officer processing your case.
French-language documents do not need translation — French is an official language of Canada. Very old records in Latin do require certified translation.
Anchor Ancestor (G0) Proof
Your anchor ancestor is the person in your chain who was born in Canada or naturalized as a Canadian citizen. You need proof of their Canadian status:
- Long-form birth certificate showing birth in Canada, OR
- Canadian citizenship certificate, OR
- Naturalization certificate or record (for those who immigrated to Canada and became citizens)
For ancestors naturalized before 1947 (when Canadians were “British subjects”), historical naturalization records may be available from Library and Archives Canada.
Your Identity Documents & Photos
Two pieces of ID
Both must show your full name and date of birth. At least one must have a photo. Common combination for US applicants: driver's license + passport. Birth certificates, SIN cards, bank cards, and credit cards are not accepted as ID.
Two citizenship photos
These are not the same as passport photos. Canadian citizenship photos are 50mm × 70mm (2" × 2.75") with specific head size, white background, no glasses, and the photographer must stamp/sign the back. Go to a professional photographer and specifically ask for “Canadian citizenship photo specifications.” Do not staple or glue photos — place them in a small envelope and paper-clip it to your application.
Supporting Documents
For deceased ancestors in the chain
Provide a death certificate. Death does not break the chain — it helps IRCC establish identity and timeline.
For name discrepancies between documents
Marriage certificates, legal name change documents, or statutory declarations that bridge the different names. Explain each discrepancy in your cover letter.
For documents not in English or French
Provide a certified translation plus a translator's affidavit swearing to accuracy. The translator must not be the applicant or a family member. Canadian certified translators (members of a provincial/territorial translators' organization) do not need an affidavit.
For the substantial connection test (born on/after Dec 15, 2025)
If applicable, the Canadian parent must demonstrate 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada. Gather: T4 tax slips, employment records, school transcripts, health cards, rental agreements, utility bills, bank statements. Days do not need to be consecutive.
Pro tip: Start gathering documents now
Ordering birth certificates from vital statistics offices can take 2–8 weeks depending on the jurisdiction. Quebec records can take longer. If you need records from church archives or Library and Archives Canada, allow even more time. Don't wait until you're ready to submit — order everything as soon as possible.