Citizenship certificate application London - in practice how long does it take?

[prairiechicken]

I realise I may be asking how long is a piece of string.....

But...

I am about to post an application for my son's (age 9) Citizenship certificate to London (we live in the UK). I am the Canadian parent. I know the website quotes very long scary timescales for processing - 12-15 months or maybe more. I'm just wondering whether it really really takes that long or whether people have found they get processed more quickly in practice.

Of course I am kicking myself for not having done it years ago...it was one of those things I kept putting to the back of my mind and thinking I would get round to doing one day.

 

[Leon]

They currently say 6 months if you applied from within Canada, add 3-4 months if you applied through an embassy so total 9-10 months for you. You can see this at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/canada/certif-processing.asp

If you have immediate plans to move to Canada and you need this faster, you should send proof of your plans (plane tickets for example) and ask for it to be expedited. I have heard of people getting them in 1-2 months.

 

[prairiechicken]

That is wonderful, thank you Leon. Really really helpful.

No immediate plans at this stage, so 9-10 months is ok. It was the 'it could take up to 2 years' bit that had me a bit concerned - 2014 is probably our goal.

However, if the need became more immediate, do you know if you can have it expedited if it's already being processed?

 

[Leon]

As far as I know you can not change it to expedited if it is already being processed. Of course you can try though. With a UK passport, he is visa exempt to come with you to Canada but getting him health care and enrolling him in school could be a problem.

 

[prairiechicken]

Well, it all went in the post last week, so fingers crossed...

Thanks for your help.

 

[bubblybre86]

Any certificate received back yet?

Many thanks

 

[prairiechicken]

Sorry I don't visit this forum very often at the moment, didn't see your question bubblybre86

Yes we have received it, I think it arrived end of Jan (roughly) - sorry can't remember the exact date. Quicker than i was expecting though.

 

[bubblybre86]

Thank you, ive been waiting 8 months....no word yet.

 

[bubblybre86]

10 months......still nothing. Really hope it comes in the next 2 months!

 

[mic8400]

the old timeline was 12 months, and now is 6. I'm thinking you were caught in that 12 month time frame =[ soon enough though!