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Citizenship through grandparent

Sakuraxx

Newbie
Jan 7, 2020
3
0
Hi,

sorry if this has been asked before. I have been doing a lot of research on citizenship through double descent and I am a little confused as to if I qualify. My grandmother was born in Toronto in the 1930’s (I have her old Canadian passports and birth certificate) and passed away in 2012 my father was born outside of Canada in 1967 and passed away in 2003. I was born in 1996 also outside of Canada. I am wondering if I possible qualify for citizenship. I am unaware of my fathers birth was ever registered although I highly doubt it was, and my grandmother was not working for the crown service. On her old Canadian passport it states simply her career was as a secretary. I am not quite sure if there is anyway I qualify. Any help would be appreciated.
 

hawk39

Hero Member
Mar 26, 2017
690
285
You will need to verify if your father registered his birth with the Canadian government, either at birth (if your grandmother had him out of wedlock), or through the special grant of citizenship afforded by the 1977 Act (if in wedlock). If through the latter, then he would have needed to apply before your birth. If either scenarios are true, then you can apply for citizenship by descent outside of the first generation because you would be deemed to have been born a citizen by descent before the first generation limitation came into effect with the 2009 Act, as it did not take away your eligibilty if you had already had it at the time.

You should try to verify who your grandmother was a secretary for. A Crown servant is any type of federal or provincial worker, so if your father was born while she was a secretary for the federal or provincial government, then the Crown servant exception to the first generation limit would apply for you.

If you can dig a little deeper to find these answers, it would help in making a determination if you would qualify as a second generation. Otherwise, you would be restricted by the first generation limit of the current Citizenship Act.
 
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Bs65

VIP Member
Mar 22, 2016
13,187
2,420
Often just as easy to pay up the 75 dollar fee and apply for proof of citizenship then will know one way or the other . Have to do that at some point anyway if consensus on here thinks you might be and it is what you want . Not exactly a massive fee plus feedback on here or using the tool whilst well intentioned not always correct only based on facts posted especially with any vague family history

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/proof-citizenship/about.html
 
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Sakuraxx

Newbie
Jan 7, 2020
3
0
You will need to verify if your father registered his birth with the Canadian government, either at birth (if your grandmother had him out of wedlock), or through the special grant of citizenship afforded by the 1977 Act (if in wedlock). If through the latter, then he would have needed to apply before your birth. If either scenarios are true, then you can apply for citizenship by descent outside of the first generation because you would be deemed to have been born a citizen by descent before the first generation limitation came into effect with the 2009 Act, as it did not take away your eligibilty if you had already had it at the time.

You should try to verify who your grandmother was a secretary for. A Crown servant is any type of federal or provincial worker, so if your father was born while she was a secretary for the federal or provincial government, then the Crown servant exception to the first generation limit would apply for you.

If you can dig a little deeper to find these answers, it would help in making a determination if you would qualify as a second generation. Otherwise, you would be restricted by the first generation limit of the current Citizenship Act.


Thank you so much for the response :) I have checked the laws out , and I am not quite sure as it seems unlikely. I believe my father was never registered, but will check this out. From my understanding, he was automatically granted citzenship when the 2009 act came into place, if he did not register meaning he was unable to pass it on as he was the first genration born abroad. My father was born in wedlock in 1967 at the time where his birth could not be registered only 10 years later. I do not think I qualify unless he was registered.
 

Sakuraxx

Newbie
Jan 7, 2020
3
0
Often just as easy to pay up the 75 dollar fee and apply for proof of citizenship then will know one way or the other . Have to do that at some point anyway if consensus on here thinks you might be and it is what you want . Not exactly a massive fee plus feedback on here or using the tool whilst well intentioned not always correct only based on facts posted especially with any vague family history

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/proof-citizenship/about.html

Thank you ! I was thinking of just applying, but I am unsure as many people have stated that you can be rejected if something is overlooked or not enough evidence is provided. I am not sure if more information is required in the application that they would ask to provide details. I have been researching the laws last night , as I am more than happy to pay a lawyer as well to help with the application, I had previously only asked a lawyer if I can get canadian citzenship (without giving him any details or family history) through my grandparent and he had responded with simply no, and I know it can be complicated as it depends on a lot of "what ifs", and from my research if my dad who was born in wedlock in 1967 never registered I am unable to claim, even though he had automatically became a citzen in 2009 as the dealine for registration was extended to 2004 and my father passed awat in 2003. For the application I am unsure if I should provide my grandmothers birth certificate and her old canadian passports, as well as her marriage certificates
 

hawk39

Hero Member
Mar 26, 2017
690
285
Thank you so much for the response :) I have checked the laws out , and I am not quite sure as it seems unlikely. I believe my father was never registered, but will check this out. From my understanding, he was automatically granted citzenship when the 2009 act came into place, if he did not register meaning he was unable to pass it on as he was the first genration born abroad. My father was born in wedlock in 1967 at the time where his birth could not be registered only 10 years later. I do not think I qualify unless he was registered.
Good luck with your efforts. Even though you have indicated that you are not worried about the cost or time needed, I don't think you need a lawyer to help with your application. If you were to hire a lawyer to fill out the application for you, you will need to file and make the lawyer your representative, who would have the same privileges as you to view and modify your application unless you formally revoke their status.
 

th2102

Newbie
Jan 19, 2021
5
0
Hi,

My grandfather became a naturalised Canadian citizen in the 60s.

My mum got a citizenship certificate as a minor at the same time (but we can’t find it atm so she would have to apply for a replacement.) We are unsure if she would have lost her right as we read about the Citizenship Acts of 1947 and 1977 - I'm confused as to how you could lose your citizenship status due to lengthy absences?

My aunt (my mum’s sister), who was 14 when my grandfather was naturalised, never received a citizenship certificate. We don't know if my grandfather ever applied on her behalf like he did with his other daughter.

Myself and my aunt's son are all born before 2009. Could we be eligible just by virtue of being grandchildren of a Canadian citizen at the time of our birth? Or would we only be eligible on the basis of the citizenship status of our respective mothers at the time of our birth?