Proof of Citizenship / Citizenship Certificate Application

[emilyswimmily]

Hello,
I recently learned that I likely am a Canadian under the new citizenship law, which is exceptionally sentimental to me as I consider it a "gift" from and a connection to my late father.

I am in the process of completing my Proof of Citizenship application package. I am attempting to do it myself and so am being absolutely meticulous about getting it properly completed with the correct documentation.

I have three specific questions:
1) The Document Checklist (link below) states "If you are applying for your first citizenship certificate, provide clear and legible certified copies of your documents." Then directly below that in the table, in the Identity Documents section, it indicates that copies (not certified copies) are appropriate for the two pieces of personal ID. Can anyone confirm that it is indeed acceptable to send regular non-certified photocopies of my passport & driver's license?
Link to Document Checklist: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/kits/citizen/cit0014e-2.pdf

2) In section 6B of the application, you are asked to provide your parent's citizenship certificate number (if applicable) and date parent first entered Canada to live. Is this information relevant if the parent was born in Canada or can it be marked NA? (I already provided the "birth certificate registration number" in a previous box.)

3) In my research, I came across the Cultural Access Pass program for new Canadians in their first year of citizenship. It allows free admission to many cultural attractions as well as travel discounts. In order to be eligible, one must be a Canadian citizen whose citizenship ceremony was less than one year ago. In applying for my citizenship certificate, will I be considered eligible for this as a "new citizen?" Will I have the option or obligation to attend a citizenship ceremony? Or is that strictly for those applying for citizenship through other paths?
Here is a link to the Cultural Access Pass program:
https://www.icc-icc.ca/site/program/cultural-access-pass/

Does anyone have any other tips for making this a smooth process, outside of the info that is readily available? Thank you for any answers you may be able to offer.

With kindness,
Emily

 

[ZingyDNA]

If you're Canadian by descent, I don't think you need to attend a citizenship ceremony. In fact, you don't apply for "citizenship by grant" at all. And I got my Cultural Access Pass on my ceremony so I don't think you'll get it..

 

[alphazip]

Hello,
I recently learned that I likely am a Canadian under the new citizenship law, which is exceptionally sentimental to me as I consider it a "gift" from and a connection to my late father.

I am in the process of completing my Proof of Citizenship application package. I am attempting to do it myself and so am being absolutely meticulous about getting it properly completed with the correct documentation.

I have three specific questions:
1) The Document Checklist (link below) states "If you are applying for your first citizenship certificate, provide clear and legible certified copies of your documents." Then directly below that in the table, in the Identity Documents section, it indicates that copies (not certified copies) are appropriate for the two pieces of personal ID. Can anyone confirm that it is indeed acceptable to send regular non-certified photocopies of my passport & driver's license?
Link to Document Checklist: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/kits/citizen/cit0014e-2.pdf

2) In section 6B of the application, you are asked to provide your parent's citizenship certificate number (if applicable) and date parent first entered Canada to live. Is this information relevant if the parent was born in Canada or can it be marked NA? (I already provided the "birth certificate registration number" in a previous box.)

3) In my research, I came across the Cultural Access Pass program for new Canadians in their first year of citizenship. It allows free admission to many cultural attractions as well as travel discounts. In order to be eligible, one must be a Canadian citizen whose citizenship ceremony was less than one year ago. In applying for my citizenship certificate, will I be considered eligible for this as a "new citizen?" Will I have the option or obligation to attend a citizenship ceremony? Or is that strictly for those applying for citizenship through other paths?
Here is a link to the Cultural Access Pass program:
https://www.icc-icc.ca/site/program/cultural-access-pass/

Does anyone have any other tips for making this a smooth process, outside of the info that is readily available? Thank you for any answers you may be able to offer.

With kindness,
Emily

1) Copies of ID do not need to be certified. Standard copies are fine.
2) N/A for certificate number. Put parent's date of birth as date he entered Canada.
3) You don't attend a ceremony and aren't eligible for the pass. You're just applying for a certificate proving a status you already have; you're not applying for citizenship.

Be sure you follow the rules to have the copies of your birth certificate and your father's certificate certified. If you cannot have them certified in your state (assuming you're in the USA), and can't get to (or don't care to go to) a Canadian consulate, you can send originals. However, they will not be returned.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_copy

 

[emilyswimmily]

Thank you for the extremely helpful answers. I’m reasonably confident in my application package now. Luckily, I can do certified copies in my state.

Too bad about the pass, but I expected that was probably a long shot. I will be planning a trip anyway!