Canadian Citizenship Certificate form questions

[Chrysos]

I am applying for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate by descent. My mother was born in Canada in 1925.
I'm probably overthinking this but I want to make sure I fill out the Canadian Citizenship Certificate form correctly as I've heard horror stories about minor errors causing problems.

Background data: My mother was born in Canada in 1925, became a US citizen in 1950. She died a few years ago, I applied for and received a copy of her Canadian birth certificate last week.
My father is not Canadian, he was born in the US. They were married in Canada in 1947, I was born in 1953.

As I'm filling out the forms, these are the questions I have:

For my info:
When filling out the section on "Absences from Canada before 1977", I have never lived in Canada, should I answer yes? Should I put in the dates from my birth to 1977 or should I put N/A?

For my Mom's info:

The Canadian Certificate number, should this be her Birth Certificate number? She did not have her citizenship certificate. I have already enclosed her Birth Certificate. Or should I write NA?

On the "Did this parent Leave Canada for more than 1 year before 1977" question. My Mom left Canada in 1947 and moved to the US. She never lived in Canada again although she visited many times. Should I answer Yes, from 1947 to 1977, destination US? How should I fill this out?

For my Dad's info:

For the question: How did this parent obtain Canadian citizenship? Should I put "Not Canadian" or NA ?
Canadian certificate no: "Not Canadian" or N/A?

On the "Did this parent Leave Canada for more than 1 year before 1977" question
Should I answer "Yes"or NA with his date of birth until 1977?

I had photos done at Costco, there are 2 pages with 2 Photos per each page with with stamp and signature of the photographer on the back of only one of the photos on each page. Should photos be cut apart? To any specific size? Should I just send both pages with all 4 photos and let them cut them they way they need to?

Should I write N/A in all the numbered sections that don't apply?

Thanks for your help in advance, I know these seem like common sense questions, but I don't want to get it wrong and they could be answered several ways that would all seem correct.

Thanks!

 

[alphazip]

When filling out this form, you should 1) fill it out completely, even if you think certain questions (e.g. American grandparents) don't apply, and 2) don't feel constrained by what you can type into a section online. You can always use a pen to add information after the form has been printed.

Your absences from Canada: Write "I never lived in Canada."

Mom's certificate number: Just enter the birth certificate number. (By the way, the birth certificate will not be returned.)

Mom's absences from Canada: "Left Canada in 1947 and never again resided in Canada."

Dad's Canadian citizenship: "Not a Canadian citizen."

Dad's absences from Canada: "Never lived in Canada."

Fill in grandparents' names, even if not Canadian, and enter comments ("Not a Canadian citizen", etc.) as above.

Cut photos to correct size: 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″). If this causes a problem, you may need to have the photos re-taken by a photographer who can create photos of the correct size. (U.S. passport photos are 2" x 2".) See here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/photospecs-cit.asp

 

[Chrysos]

Thank you very much for your help!
I don't think the Grandparent section applies to my situation.
There are two sections. It says:

1) If the applicant's parent was born outside Canada, was one of his/her parents (applicants grandparents)
a Canadian citizen at the time of his/her birth

If yes to either question, complete the information below (the section on Grandparents)

No or Yes
Would not apply to my Mom as she was born in Canada. So I guess I put no.
Answer would be No for my Dad as he was born in the US but neither of his parents were Canadian citizens.

2) if the applicant's parent was born outside Canada was one of his/her parents employed outside Canada as a Crown servant at the time of the applicants parents birth or adoption.
Would not apply to my Mom as she was born in Canada
Answer would be No for my Dad as neither of his parents were Canadian or ever employed by the Canadian government. I doubt if my Dads parents ever even visited Canada

I talked to a guy who helps people fill out the forms and act as a "representative". He said to leave this section blank.

 

[Chrysos]

Thanks again for taking the time to help!
On the photo page it says "The frame size must be at least 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″).
The photographs must show the full front view of the head, with the face in the middle of the photograph, and include the top of the shoulders.
The size of the head, from chin to crown, must be between 31 mm (1 1/4″) and 36 mm (1 7/16″).
Crown means the top of the head or (if obscured by hair or a head covering) where the top of the head or skull would be if it could be seen.
If the photographs do not meet the specifications, you will have to provide new photographs before your application can be processed.

It looks to me like the frame size is specified as a minimum only, "at least". If I cut them down the photographer's stamp and signature will not fit on the photo.
I really think these instructions suck! If they're going to be picky they need to be very specific!

 

[alphazip]

The form has changed since I filled one out, so, yes, you are correct re: grandparents. Check "no" and leave the section blank.

Re: photos, perhaps the instructions changed after the citizenship card (which contained a photo) was dropped in favour of the certificate (which does not.) I can only tell you that here in Canada, photographers produce the photo in the 35 mm x 45 mm size. My spouse had one taken in 2015. Whether you can now send in a 2" x 2" American passport-size photo, I don't know. You may want to put the question out there, directed at Americans who have recently sent in an application for (and received) proof of Canadian citizenship.

 

[NaomiL]

Thank you very much for your help!
I don't think the Grandparent section applies to my situation.
There are two sections. It says:

1) If the applicant's parent was born outside Canada, was one of his/her parents (applicants grandparents)
a Canadian citizen at the time of his/her birth

If yes to either question, complete the information below (the section on Grandparents)

No or Yes
Would not apply to my Mom as she was born in Canada. So I guess I put no.
Answer would be No for my Dad as he was born in the US but neither of his parents were Canadian citizens.

2) if the applicant's parent was born outside Canada was one of his/her parents employed outside Canada as a Crown servant at the time of the applicants parents birth or adoption.
Would not apply to my Mom as she was born in Canada
Answer would be No for my Dad as neither of his parents were Canadian or ever employed by the Canadian government. I doubt if my Dads parents ever even visited Canada

I talked to a guy who helps people fill out the forms and act as a "representative". He said to leave this section blank.

 

[NaomiL]

Hello Chrysos,
Were your answers about the grandparents acceptable? My situation is the same in that my dad was born in Canada so I believe I should answer no and then not answer the grandparent information. (or put NA?)