Am I Canadian? (what about my kids)

[jasonblend]

Hello:

I was born in Montreal in 1971 to US parents (draft dodgers from Vietnam war). They both lived and worked in Montreal when I was born. We lived there until I was five years old, and then my family moved back to the US. (I have a copy of my Birth Certificate from the Town of Montreal West).

I have lived in the US ever since we moved back. In 2003 I got married. My wife was born in Dublin to a Canadian Mother. She has Canadian citizenship and holds a Canadian passport.

We now have four daughters and we live in New York, and I would like to know:

1) Am I a Canadian citizen because I was born in Montreal?
2) Can our children be Canadian citizens because their mom is Canadian (and/or because I am Canadian)?
3) Can our children go to university in Canada as Canadian citizens?

I've tried to navigate the Canada IRCC website to inquiry about my citizenship status but it is not clear. Apparently, "Not all children born in Canada automatically become Canadian citizens at birth.", and it also says something about not accepting a Quebec birth certificate issued after January 1, 1994, so I'm very confused.

Thanks in advance for any help or information

Jason

 

[vensak]

Hello:

I was born in Montreal in 1971 to US parents (draft dodgers from Vietnam war). They both lived and worked in Montreal when I was born. We lived there until I was five years old, and then my family moved back to the US. (I have a copy of my Birth Certificate from the Town of Montreal West).

I have lived in the US ever since we moved back. In 2003 I got married. My wife was born in Dublin to a Canadian Mother. She has Canadian citizenship and holds a Canadian passport.

We now have four daughters and we live in New York, and I would like to know:

1) Am I a Canadian citizen because I was born in Montreal?
2) Can our children be Canadian citizens because their mom is Canadian (and/or because I am Canadian)?
3) Can our children go to university in Canada as Canadian citizens?

I've tried to navigate the Canada IRCC website to inquiry about my citizenship status but it is not clear. Apparently, "Not all children born in Canada automatically become Canadian citizens at birth.", and it also says something about not accepting a Quebec birth certificate issued after January 1, 1994, so I'm very confused.

Thanks in advance for any help or information

Jason

Yes you are Canadian, because you were born in Canada (as long as you referring to Montreal in Canada of course).
Your children are Canadian, because you are Canadian and most likely not because your spouse is Canadian. If they were born after 2009 then they would have been second generation born abroad when it comes to your wife.
The exception of children not getting Canadian citizenship by birth is for diplomats and such, however just recheck what exactly was status of your parents there when you were born.

Anyway even if there was the worst case scenario and you were not Canadian for some specific reason, your wife can sponsor you all back to Canada (as long as children are still minor or below 21 years old and single).

 

[jasonblend]

Great, thank you for your response. My four daughters were born in 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2012. (Yes, I was born in Montreal, Canada . So I'm going to attempt to fill out form CIT0001 to get my citzenship certificate and once I have that, I'll attempt to do the forms for my children as well.

Second question: Should I retain a representative or is it ok to attempt to fill out this paperwork myself?

 

[scylla]

Great, thank you for your response. My four daughters were born in 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2012. (Yes, I was born in Montreal, Canada . So I'm going to attempt to fill out form CIT0001 to get my citzenship certificate and once I have that, I'll attempt to do the forms for my children as well.

Second question: Should I retain a representative or is it ok to attempt to fill out this paperwork myself?

Save yourself the money and do it yourself.

 

[canuck78]

You need an updated version of your Quebec birth certificate. The old ones are no longer valid. Would apply for that first.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Great, thank you for your response. My four daughters were born in 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2012. (Yes, I was born in Montreal, Canada . So I'm going to attempt to fill out form CIT0001 to get my citzenship certificate and once I have that, I'll attempt to do the forms for my children as well.

Second question: Should I retain a representative or is it ok to attempt to fill out this paperwork myself?

1. You don't need a Citizenship certificate, the Quebec Birth Certificate is proof enough.
2. What you have to do is apply for proof of citizenship for your daughters. See: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/proof-citizenship/eligibility.html

 

[vensak]

also be aware that if ever your children will have children born abroad (outside Canada) and the other parent (father of such child) would not be Canadian or would be a Canadian born abroad, then those grandchildren would not have access to citizenship anymore.