Dual Citizenship Questions

[ADickens13]

Hello All!

I am a US Citizen, with, likely, a claim to Canadian Citizenship.

My father is a Canadian Citizen.

He was born to Canadian parents in Kenya, but through naturalization, he is a Canadian Citizen.

We reside in the US, however I would like to live and work freely between and US and Canada.

I believe my process to becoming a Canadian Citizen is as follows:
1.) Complete the Generic Application Form For Canada
2.) Complete the CIT 0014 Document Checklist (Scenario 3; I was born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent)
3.) Gather all Documentation: Birth Certificate, Fathers Citizenship Certificate.
4.) Pay fees ($530 CAD for application)

However, I have read conflicting viewpoints.

Do I need to apply for Canadian citizenship entirely, or just request a Canadian citizenship certificate?

I want to ensure I am following the correct protocol and paying the correct fees.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[forw.jane]

Hello All!

I am a US Citizen, with, likely, a claim to Canadian Citizenship.

My father is a Canadian Citizen.

He was born to Canadian parents in Kenya, but through naturalization, he is a Canadian Citizen.

We reside in the US, however I would like to live and work freely between and US and Canada.

I believe my process to becoming a Canadian Citizen is as follows:
1.) Complete the Generic Application Form For Canada
2.) Complete the CIT 0014 Document Checklist (Scenario 3; I was born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent)
3.) Gather all Documentation: Birth Certificate, Fathers Citizenship Certificate.
4.) Pay fees ($530 CAD for application)

However, I have read conflicting viewpoints.

Do I need to apply for Canadian citizenship entirely, or just request a Canadian citizenship certificate?

I want to ensure I am following the correct protocol and paying the correct fees.

Any advice is appreciated!

For you it would be citizenship certificate not the process of applying for citizenship which is for PR applicants.

My doubt is whether your father can pass on his citizenship to you. Just do a bit of research on that.

Before 2009, children born outside Canada who had at least one Canadian citizen as a parent was entitled to Canadian citizenship. However, only the first generation of children born after 2009 to parents outside Canada are entitled to citizenship by descent

 

[Seym]

Your father probably didn't gain citizenship through "naturalization" but through his Canadian parents.

Citizenship law can be confusing depending on when people were born, as @forw.jane told you.
Have a look here for more details : https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/overview/history-legislation.html

Also, have a look at the IRCC online tool. It's not conclusive and you'd need to ask for a citizenship proof anyway to know for sure, but it will give you a good idea about the outcome of your application depending on when you were born and your parents situation : https://ircc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3pJ5oXgZNBj0r1c?Q_Language=EN

 

[ADickens13]

Your father probably didn't gain citizenship through "naturalization" but through his Canadian parents.

Citizenship law can be confusing depending on when people were born, as @forw.jane told you.
Have a look here for more details : https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/overview/history-legislation.html

Also, have a look at the IRCC online tool. It's not conclusive and you'd need to ask for a citizenship proof anyway to know for sure, but it will give you a good idea about the outcome of your application depending on when you were born and your parents situation : https://ircc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3pJ5oXgZNBj0r1c?Q_Language=EN

You are correct in that he gained citizenship through his Canadian parents. I was born in 1997. Does this change anything?

 

[Seym]

You are correct in that he gained citizenship through his Canadian parents. I was born in 1997. Does this change anything?

It would have changed things if you were a kid born after 2009, in which case, you wouldn't be a Canadian citizen.
There are people that are more experienced in the 1947 and 1977 citizenship acts that can tell you what you need to know depending on your father's date of birth, and I'll let them shime in.
Meanwhile, go with what the tool tells you.

 

[hawk39]

You are correct in that he gained citizenship through his Canadian parents. I was born in 1997. Does this change anything?

In general, if your father was born under the 1947 Act, had his birth registered with the Canadian government and did not have to apply for retention or was approved for retention, or was just simply born under the 1977 Act, then you can claim citizenship by descent.

If he did not have his birth registered and only recently claimed citizenship under the 2009 or 2015 Acts, then you cannot claim citizenship for yourself.