Children born in 2003 and 2005 to father who became Canadian under 2009 law

[IvanP]

Background: My father was born in Canada in 1946 to Canadian parents. His family emigrated to the US when he was 6 years old, and he later became a US citizen. I was born in the US in 1971, first generation born outside Canada. Under the 2009 citizenship law I became a citizen, retroactively to my birth from what I understand. Earlier this year I obtained a citizenship certificate. My wife is a US citizen, no ties to Canada other than me. We have two children, born in 2003 and 2005. We're planning to move to Canada in the summer of 2013.

Question: Did my children become Canadian citizens under the 2009 law? I tried the online "Am I a citizen" tool, using their biographical information, at the CIC website, but it says that "may" be citizens. Since I'm already sponsoring my wife to be a permanent resident, it won't be much work to apply for permanent residency for the children if that's what they need, but if they are already citizens, I should be applying for citizenship certificates for them.

Thanks in advance for any clarification you can provide!

 

[Leon]

As far as I understand, since you became a citizen with the 2009 law, you weren't one when they were born which means they aren't. To find out either way, either you apply to sponsor them for PR or you try to apply for their citizenship certificates. If the one you try is refused, then the other way was the right way to go.

If they get their PR, you can apply for their citizenship as soon are you are in Canada.