Canadian Citizenship Certificate

[subzer0]

My wife was born in the US in 1990. Her father is a Canadian citizen who was born in Canada. This makes her a Canadian citizen, however she needs a certificate for it. We sent her application by mail back in 2022 and it was rejected and returned to us citing we did not submit color copies of supporting docs which we clearly did. It took them 5 months to reply. We would like to avoid this from happening to us again and looking for a way to file online but the website tells us she need to apply on paper after filling out some questionnaire.

Asking here if there is any way she can apply online? Also, will she have any issues visiting Canada while her application is pending?

 

[yyzstudent]

My wife was born in the US in 1990. Her father is a Canadian citizen who was born in Canada. This makes her a Canadian citizen, however she needs a certificate for it. We sent her application by mail back in 2022 and it was rejected and returned to us citing we did not submit color copies of supporting docs which we clearly did. It took them 5 months to reply. We would like to avoid this from happening to us again and looking for a way to file online but the website tells us she need to apply on paper after filling out some questionnaire.

Asking here if there is any way she can apply online? Also, will she have any issues visiting Canada while her application is pending?

I just went through the questions. She must apply via paper. No way around it.

Apply again, include a letter of explanation pointing out it was returned for the reason you stated, and politely point out you are resubmitting with colour copies.

Make sure all your documents are in colour.

Current processing times are 11 months according to the site.

 

[subzer0]

@yyzstudent Do you mean apply by mail?

 

[yyzstudent]

Do you mean apply by mail?

I’m facepalming myself. Of course I do. I have edited my response to correct it.

 

[subzer0]

I’m facepalming myself. Of course I do. I have edited my response to correct it.

Thanks! Will it take another 5 months to hear back again? % months just to accept/reject an application seems extremely high..

 

[yyzstudent]

Thanks! Will it take another 5 months to hear back again? % months just to accept/reject an application seems extremely high..

No idea.

Don’t even know if you can apply for urgent processing. Not sure such a thing exist for her type of application. I’m just a “normal” citizenship applicant.

 

[subzer0]

No idea.

Don’t even know if you can apply for urgent processing. Not sure such a thing exist for her type of application. I’m just a “normal” citizenship applicant.

Thanks for your input. We will try one more time. Hoping it works.

 

[subzer0]

@yyzstudent by the way do you know when we can expect what is called AOR?

also, it is odd that the government just sends back the entire package if a document is missing (supporting doc not the actual application). In thr US the immigration department accepts the application if it is filled out correctly and then asks for an additional evidence if something is missing. Why is it different for Canada?

 

[yyzstudent]

@yyzstudent by the way do you know when we can expect what is called AOR?

I have no idea. It takes as long as it takes.

also, it is odd that the government just sends back the entire package if a document is missing (supporting doc not the actual application). In thr US the immigration department accepts the application if it is filled out correctly and then asks for an additional evidence if something is missing. Why is it different for Canada?

I don't find it odd at all. It's up to us to get it right from the beginning. They don't have time to deal with those of us who get it wrong.

 

[subzer0]

I have no idea. It takes as long as it takes.



I don't find it odd at all. It's up to us to get it right from the beginning. They don't have time to deal with those of us who get it wrong.

That makes sense but to take nearly half a year to even look at the package and then determine something is missing is extremely burdensome on the applicant and wastes incredible amount of time. It is discouraging to even deal with such a department. We send 100% of what was required and if for whatever reason they kick it back we won't apply anymore.

In a nutshell, in the 21st century it is somewhat embarrassing for such a big agency to be dealing with paper still and the backlog a few years.

 

[yyzstudent]

That makes sense but to take nearly half a year to even look at the package and then determine something is missing is extremely burdensome on the applicant and wastes incredible amount of time. It is discouraging to even deal with such a department. We send 100% of what was required and if for whatever reason they kick it back we won't apply anymore.

Applications would take even longer to process if the onus on correct submission wasn't on the applicant. And historically it did.

In a nutshell, in the 21st century it is somewhat embarrassing for such a big agency to be dealing with paper still and the backlog a few years.

In a nutshell, in the year 2023 of the 21st century, there is nothing that prevents applicants, even families with children, to apply online.

Edited to add: The online application form will gradually reduce the backlog due to incomplete applications, as it is pretty difficult to submit it unless it is.

 

[subzer0]

Applications would take even longer to process if the onus on correct submission wasn't on the applicant. And historically it did.




In a nutshell, in the year 2023 of the 21st century, there is nothing that prevents applicants, even families with children, to apply online.

Edited to add: The online application form will gradually reduce the backlog due to incomplete applications, as it is pretty difficult to submit it unless it is.

We would have gladly applied online, but the tool told us we need to apply on paper.. that is the sucky part.

 

[yyzstudent]

We would have gladly applied online, but the tool told us we need to apply on paper.. that is the sucky part.

Families even with minors can apply online as of early April 2023.

 

[subzer0]

@yyzstudent Even if the website tell you to apply on paper? My wife was born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent who was born and raised there. Father was born before 1977 and my wife was born before 2009. I remember being asked these questions. If online application is an option then we'd gladly do that instead should it become necessary

 

[yyzstudent]

@yyzstudent Even if the website tell you to apply on paper? My wife was born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent who was born and raised there. Father was born before 1977 and my wife was born before 2009. I remember being asked these questions. If online application is an option then we'd gladly do that instead should it become necessary

I'm a single applicant who applied in march this year. I've read here that as of early April it is now possible for families, even with children, to apply.

Now, I'm talking about applying for citizenship. You're on about applying for citizenship certificate as she is already a Canadian by birth, and that is a completely different ballgame. There are those who can apply online and those who can't. It all depends on the circumstances. If paper is the only route for you then so be it.

There is a questionnaire on the application info page you can fill out to find out if she can apply online or not.