Canadian Citizenship by Descent

[Flpeteryan]

Hello,
I am a U.S. citizen with Canadian descent on my father's side. My father was born in Ontario, Canada in 1888. To my knowledge, he never renounced his citizenship. Therefore, I believe he still would have become a Canadian citizen in 1947, when the rules regarding British subjects changed.

The one issue I have is that I do not have his birth certificate. The Archives of Ontario has a record of his birth in their vital records, but this does not resemble a Birth certificate. I spoke with them and requested a search, and they told me that they would perform one once their collections reopen, post COVID-19 shutdown. Is there anything else I could do? Because he was born so long ago, I know that there's a possibility he doesn't have a birth certificate. I figured that it would be worth inquiring.
Thanks

 

[primaprime]

When were you born? You are likely a citizen but certainly documentation could be a hassle given how long ago we're talking.

 

[Flpeteryan]

I was born in 1932. Besides his birth certificate, I have all the other documentation. I highly doubt that Canada would accept the Vital Record of his birth in 1888 for my Certificate of Citizenship. The Archives of Ontario recorded his birth in a collection labeled "Ontario Births 1869 to 1912."

 

[k.h.p.]

I was born in 1932. Besides his birth certificate, I have all the other documentation. I highly doubt that Canada would accept the Vital Record of his birth in 1888 for my Certificate of Citizenship. The Archives of Ontario recorded his birth in a collection labeled "Ontario Births 1869 to 1912."

To be honest, that may be the only record that Ontario has of his birth.

 

[Flpeteryan]

I have a feeling you're right. If true, I trust that would mean I'm ineligible to apply.

 

[Flpeteryan]

With the COVID-19 situation, I trust it will take a while for the Archives of Ontario to reopen. Would it be worth the effort to try to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship with the records I have, or does it make more sense to wait and see if they find anything in the future?

 

[k.h.p.]

I have a feeling you're right. If true, I trust that would mean I'm ineligible to apply.

I don't think so, if that's the only proof that Ontario has of your father's birth, it should prove it.

 

[Flpeteryan]

Okay, I guess it can't hurt to try. Worst comes to worst, I lose $75.

 

[k.h.p.]

With the COVID-19 situation, I trust it will take a while for the Archives of Ontario to reopen. Would it be worth the effort to try to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship with the records I have, or does it make more sense to wait and see if they find anything in the future?

I would apply for now with what you have.

 

[k.h.p.]

Okay, I guess it can't hurt to try. Worst comes to worst, I lose $75.

And I don't think they'd refuse you for want of a document, they'd send you an additional documents request, perhaps. In any event, I wish you luck!

 

[k.h.p.]

Just for context - a birth certificate in most provinces (mine in BC at least) is a "certified extract of Vital Statistics" - so a Vital Record of Birth is likely the official format of the birth record.

 

[Flpeteryan]

Thank you all. I just mailed in my application. I'll have to wait and see what comes of it!

 

[alphazip]

You will need a certified copy of the birth registration from the Archives of Ontario. It works as a birth certificate for a person born before 1918.

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/access/documents/research_guide_202_vital_statistics_EN.pdf

Getting Birth, Marriage or Death Certificates The Archives of Ontario:
• Does not issue birth, marriage or death certificates
• Will only certify photocopies of registrations made in the presence of Archives' staff in our Reading Room, or requested by mail, e-mail, fax or telephone. See the end of this guide for contact information, or click here to email the Archives of Ontario. . Please include, as far as you know, the name of the person(s), the location, the date (we will search a five year range), and the parents’ names (for a birth). See this guide for information on how you can search and locate a registration before requesting a certified copy. A certification fee of $33.00 (plus HST and postage and handling fees) applies. Please do not include payment with your request; we will invoice you only when a certified copy is ready.

The Office of the Registrar General of Ontario:
• Will not issue Death Certificates for Vital Statistics records in the Archives of Ontario collection
• Will issue Birth and Marriage Certificates only to the person identified on the record.

Registration vs certificate:
• The registration is the original government record of the birth, marriage or death.
• A certificate is produced by the Office of the Registrar General using information from the registration.
• Certified copies of registrations held at the Archives of Ontario have the same legal value as a certificate produced by the Office of the Registrar General.

 

[Flpeteryan]

If the Certified Copy from the Archives has the same value as the official Birth Certificate from the Registrar General, I wouldn't need to obtain the official birth certificate, right? Does IRCC accept certified copies or would they need the actual certificate? I don't think the Registrar would allow me to request it because I'm not the person on the certificate.

I did email someone from the Archives requesting a certified copy of his Birth Certificate, however, they are unable to search for it until their office reopens.

 

[k.h.p.]

They would not need the original certificate; most people only have certified extracts (even if it's the first and only copy they ever got) of the official records that they call "birth certificates."