HELP! Testing soon but all the Supporting Documents are LOST!

[katiebird]

My parents finally received their invitation to write the Citizenship test for March 11, 2013 but the envelope that had all their documents (old passports, record of landing, notarized copies of birth certificates, and marriage certificate) is now gone! We think it was lost during one of the moves they had to do.

The processing took almost 2 years, and now it comes to this. (I mailed the Application for them in May 2010 and they just got their invitation to write the test last week.)

Please advise. I really appreciate it.

The only IDs they have are their driver's license, SIN/Health Card.
Will they be allowed to write the test? What steps do we need to take to help get documents back??

 

[Msafiri]

My parents finally received their invitation to write the Citizenship test for March 11, 2013 but the envelope that had all their documents (old passports, record of landing, notarized copies of birth certificates, and marriage certificate) is now gone! We think it was lost during one of the moves they had to do.

The processing took almost 2 years, and now it comes to this. (I mailed the Application for them in May 2010 and they just got their invitation to write the test last week.)

Please advise. I really appreciate it.

The only IDs they have are their driver's license, SIN/Health Card.
Will they be allowed to write the test? What steps do we need to take to help get documents back??

They will still get to do the test with the ID they have but IMHO will likely be issued a Residency Questionnaire. CIC want to see applicants passports especially if they cover any of the citizenship qualifying period (1095 days in 4 years prior to application date). Too many cheats conveniently lost their passports to hide absences from Canada which they never declared. Did your parents photocopy their passports? Do they have PR Cards?

I suggest you apply for the following documents:

1. CBSA report.
2. Provincial Health billing record e.g OHIP.
3. Replacement passports.
4. Lost documents/ passport report.
5. An affidavit in respect of 4
6. Verification of status (in lieu of lost IMM1000/COPR).

Take what you can get (if it has arrived) to the test or proof of application. Also any letters of employment/ volunteering, Notice of Tax Assessments, credit card/ bank statements anything that is proof of their time in Canada for the 4 years covering their application. Even if they get RQd (I still think this may happen as CIC officers on test date are too pressed for time to deal with the document dump ) then they can just leave the documents immediatley.

Unfortunatley if they are RQd then they are taken out the normal processing timeline of 21 months for 80% of applicants. Check this forum for threads with RQ in the subject line - its ugly as processing timelines can reach 48 months. Also watch out that your parents maintain their PR until oath date i.e. 730 days of physical presence in Canada for each rolling 5 year period.

I tell family and friends applying nowadays to make and keep notarized copies of their passports with notarization date stamped on each page in case of ppt theft or loss. This may just prevent RQ.

 

[katiebird]

:/
Thanks so much for the help.
They didn't have PR cards, and I doubt they photocopied their passports. They never left Canada for the past 12 years so they never felt the need to have travel documents and/or renew their expired passports.

Sorry, but could you let me know how to get the necessary reports?

 

[Msafiri]

Were these passports valid between May 2006 and May 2010?

1. CBSA report - CIC website access to information.
2. Provincial Health billing record e.g OHIP - go the website of your provincial health ministry and check access for personal info.
3. Replacement passports - consulate/ embassy of your country.
4. Lost documents/ passport report - go to the cops on this and file a lost docs report.
5. An affidavit in respect of 4 - see a notary.
6. Verification of status (in lieu of lost IMM1000/COPR) - CIC website replacing lost docs.

 

[katiebird]

Were these passports valid between May 2006 and May 2010?

1. CBSA report - CIC website access to information.
2. Provincial Health billing record e.g OHIP - go the website of your provincial health ministry and check access for personal info.
3. Replacement passports - consulate/ embassy of your country.
4. Lost documents/ passport report - go to the cops on this and file a lost docs report.
5. An affidavit in respect of 4 - see a notary.
6. Verification of status (in lieu of lost IMM1000/COPR) - CIC website replacing lost docs.

My mom's I think expired around 2003, and my dad's expired in 2004. They don't really want to pay for a replacement passport because they won't use it and once they pass the test they will apply for a Canadian passport anyways. (Although if it will help a lot I will do it for them anyway.)

I think they might have the letters from the CRA, so I think those are the notices of assessment... I need to go to their house to check.

We will go to the cops and report the lost documents.

Could you explain to me the CBSA Report? I found the Access to Information request form and I know I need to cite the CBSA as the appropriate department, but what exactly am I asking for?


Thanks so much. This has been such a great help.

 

[Msafiri]

My mom's I think expired around 2003, and my dad's expired in 2004. They don't really want to pay for a replacement passport because they won't use it and once they pass the test they will apply for a Canadian passport anyways. (Although if it will help a lot I will do it for them anyway.)

I think they might have the letters from the CRA, so I think those are the notices of assessment... I need to go to their house to check.

We will go to the cops and report the lost documents.

Could you explain to me the CBSA Report? I found the Access to Information request form and I know I need to cite the CBSA as the appropriate department, but what exactly am I asking for?


Thanks so much. This has been such a great help.

My bad CBSA records are from CBSA (not CIC) website. Mail (registered) or fax the following letter for each of your parents (its easier than filling out the form):

For CBSA:
Canada Border Services Agency
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
410 Laurier Avenue West, 11th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L8

Dear ATIP Coordinator:

Pursuant to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985 c. P-21, I seek access to and copies of traveler history for myself.

I am a permanent resident of Canada currently present in Canada. I wish to receive copies of the records and request to examine the information as-is.
To assist with your search for these records, I am providing the following additional information about myself:

Full Name:
Date of Birth:
Gender:
Country of Citizenship:
Travel Document Type:
Travel Document Number:
Permanent Resident ID number:
Please mail my request to my current address:
Signed:
Dated:

You need to include copies of their status in Canada - do they have a copy of the IMM1000? If not send a copy of the CRA tax returns or utility bills. It used to be 30 days to get an ATIP but recently 60-90 days due to backlogs as many Citizenship applicants are applying for traveller records to check before submission and/or in anticipation of/ to prevent an RQ.

I suggest they apply for passports. RQs can add another 24-36 months (if required to see a Citizenship Judge) to the 21 month timeline quoted for routine applications. They may need to travel at short notice. While at this they should get PR Cards. Increasingly many of the Provinces are only accepting the PR Card as proof of PR status and not IMM1000/ COPR e.g BC for issuing/ renewing Driver Licences.