Confused about Qualifying for Citizenship

[VictoriaS]

Hello All,

I am trying to get a clear answer as to if I qualify for Canadian Citizenship. While the CIC website is helpful and informative, I feel as if some of the information isn't particularly clear nor do the given scenarios match that of my own. So, I thought I would try posting a topic on this forum, in the hopes that someone will have a more direct answer.

I was born in the U.S. in 1991 to a Canadian Parent (my father). Which, through my research, grants me automatic citizenship at birth. I am looking to acquire Canadian citizenship, in the hopes of immigrating to Canada in the near future. From what I have gathered, because I am the first-generation born abroad to a Canadian citizen, all I have to do to become a citizen is apply for a Citizenship Certificate.

Would anyone happen to know if I am automatically a citizen, and should apply for my certificate? How long does processing take for a first-generation, born abroad person to receive citizenship?

Thank you for taking the time to read!

-Victoria

 

[thecoolguysam]

Hello All,

I am trying to get a clear answer as to if I qualify for Canadian Citizenship. While the CIC website is helpful and informative, I feel as if some of the information isn't particularly clear nor do the given scenarios match that of my own. So, I thought I would try posting a topic on this forum, in the hopes that someone will have a more direct answer.

I was born in the U.S. in 1991 to a Canadian Parent (my father). Which, through my research, grants me automatic citizenship at birth. I am looking to acquire Canadian citizenship, in the hopes of immigrating to Canada in the near future. From what I have gathered, because I am the first-generation born abroad to a Canadian citizen, all I have to do to become a citizen is apply for a Citizenship Certificate.

Would anyone happen to know if I am automatically a citizen, and should apply for my certificate? How long does processing take for a first-generation, born abroad person to receive citizenship?

Thank you for taking the time to read!

-Victoria

Please click on the following link for more information:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/rules/

 

[VictoriaS]

Thanks Sam! Unfortunately, I have read that page through and through and still don't have a clear answer as to if I should apply as well as how long it take for a first-generation to receive citizenship.

 

[thecoolguysam]

Thanks Sam! Unfortunately, I have read that page through and through and still don't have a clear answer as to if I should apply as well as how long it take for a first-generation to receive citizenship.

Please wait for someone with a similar experience in this forum to shed more light in regards to this information.

 

[dbo73]

The referenced website is actually not really clear, especially as they have removed the assessment tool.

I suggest to read the instruction guide linked at the bottom of the website.

As it states on the website, your only option to get clarity might be that you have to file an application and see what happens....

Applying for proof of Canadian citizenship is the formal way to see if you are a citizen. If you apply for proof of citizenship, but you are not a citizen, we will still collect the processing fee.

 

[cprak0]

Hello All,

I am trying to get a clear answer as to if I qualify for Canadian Citizenship. While the CIC website is helpful and informative, I feel as if some of the information isn't particularly clear nor do the given scenarios match that of my own. So, I thought I would try posting a topic on this forum, in the hopes that someone will have a more direct answer.

I was born in the U.S. in 1991 to a Canadian Parent (my father). Which, through my research, grants me automatic citizenship at birth. I am looking to acquire Canadian citizenship, in the hopes of immigrating to Canada in the near future. From what I have gathered, because I am the first-generation born abroad to a Canadian citizen, all I have to do to become a citizen is apply for a Citizenship Certificate.

Would anyone happen to know if I am automatically a citizen, and should apply for my certificate? How long does processing take for a first-generation, born abroad person to receive citizenship?

Thank you for taking the time to read!

-Victoria

Pretty clear to me (after having read the rules over and over again) that you are a Canadian citizen but you still need a proof of citizenship.
The 2009 change doesn't apply to you since your Dad's a citizen. The only other thing would be if your Dad had a citizenship proof or a birth
certificate indicating his citizenship and of course your birth certificate stating the relationship with your Dad... You seem all set.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thanks Sam! Unfortunately, I have read that page through and through and still don't have a clear answer as to if I should apply as well as how long it take for a first-generation to receive citizenship.

You wouldn't be receiving citizenship, you would be receiving proof of citizenship. Entirely different things. You can google and ask on forums but the surest way to find out is to simply apply.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/canada/certif-processing.asp

 

[VictoriaS]

Thanks Canuck_in_UK. I don't see how there is a difference in proof versus receiving actual citizenship, since I have never been one. Please advise.

 

[raymasa]

Thanks Canuck_in_UK. I don't see how there is a difference in proof versus receiving actual citizenship, since I have never been one. Please advise.

As others have stated, as your dad is a Canadian citizen, you are a Canadian citizen and have always been. Just because you didn't know you were, doesn't mean that you weren't... Since you are a citizen, you need a proof of that citizenship. For example, if you were born in the US, your birth certificate may proof your US citizenship. As you don't have a Canadian birth certificate, you would need another document as a proof.

If, however, you were an immigrant to Canada and were granted citizenship, you will be receiving an actual citizenship. As an immigrant, one day you are not a Canadian citizen, and next day, after the oath, you will be. That's granting a citizenship to a non-citizen

But as a child of a Canadian citizen (in your case), you were always a Canadian citizen (from the day you were born), in this case, you will not be granted a citizenship, you just need a proof of that

Ray

 

[alphazip]

Hello All,

I am trying to get a clear answer as to if I qualify for Canadian Citizenship. While the CIC website is helpful and informative, I feel as if some of the information isn't particularly clear nor do the given scenarios match that of my own. So, I thought I would try posting a topic on this forum, in the hopes that someone will have a more direct answer.

I was born in the U.S. in 1991 to a Canadian Parent (my father). Which, through my research, grants me automatic citizenship at birth. I am looking to acquire Canadian citizenship, in the hopes of immigrating to Canada in the near future. From what I have gathered, because I am the first-generation born abroad to a Canadian citizen, all I have to do to become a citizen is apply for a Citizenship Certificate.

Would anyone happen to know if I am automatically a citizen, and should apply for my certificate? How long does processing take for a first-generation, born abroad person to receive citizenship?

Thank you for taking the time to read!

-Victoria

Getting proof of Canadian citizenship is not a fast process...takes about a year. If you have a reason for needing your certificate quickly (e.g., to move to Canada, to get a job in Canada, etc.), you can request expedited processing.

 

[chikloo]

Hello All,

I am trying to get a clear answer as to if I qualify for Canadian Citizenship. While the CIC website is helpful and informative, I feel as if some of the information isn't particularly clear nor do the given scenarios match that of my own. So, I thought I would try posting a topic on this forum, in the hopes that someone will have a more direct answer.

I was born in the U.S. in 1991 to a Canadian Parent (my father). Which, through my research, grants me automatic citizenship at birth. I am looking to acquire Canadian citizenship, in the hopes of immigrating to Canada in the near future. From what I have gathered, because I am the first-generation born abroad to a Canadian citizen, all I have to do to become a citizen is apply for a Citizenship Certificate.

Would anyone happen to know if I am automatically a citizen, and should apply for my certificate? How long does processing take for a first-generation, born abroad person to receive citizenship?

Thank you for taking the time to read!

-Victoria

You are a citizen of Canada. You have to apply for certificate of citizenship and the process takes 9 months. That will be the only proof.
Please check out CIC website for the same.

All the best.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thanks Canuck_in_UK. I don't see how there is a difference in proof versus receiving actual citizenship, since I have never been one. Please advise.

Applying for citizenship would require that you first apply for and become a Permanent Resident in Canada and then live in Canada for a minimum number of years.

Applying for PROOF of citizenship means you are already a citizen.


If you were born a citizen, then you have always been one, regardless of whether you knew it or not or whether you have proof or not.