Renounced Canadian citizenship (to US) at 16yo

[Lauragc]

Born and raised in Canada, moved with family to US due to parents’ work visa at a young age. They later became US citizens. For possible college scholarship opportunities, I became a US citizen at 16 years old. Apparently renounced Canadian citizenship at the time, as parents were not told about dual citizenship. Now looking to possibly move to Canada.

My question is that, since I was a minor at the time and didn’t know anything about this, can I reclaim Canadian citizenship without going through the standard PR process?

Thanks for any guidance!

 

[scylla]

Born and raised in Canada, moved with family to US due to parents’ work visa at a young age. They later became US citizens. For possible college scholarship opportunities, I became a US citizen at 16 years old. Apparently renounced Canadian citizenship at the time, as parents were not told about dual citizenship. Now looking to possibly move to Canada.

My question is that, since I was a minor at the time and didn’t know anything about this, can I reclaim Canadian citizenship without going through the standard PR process?

Thanks for any guidance!

Are you 100% sure you renounced Canadian citizenship? This doesn't happen automatically. It's something you need to apply for. You would have needed to have been at least 18 years old at the time you renounced.

You can't get citizenship back once it's renounced.

 

[Lauragc]

Thanks for the quick response!

No, I’m not sure as it was over 20 years ago. I did receive a US Certificate of Naturalization and had to give up my Resident Alien card and now only maintain a US passport. No knowledge of renouncing, just assumed. What could I do to find out? Is it possible to somehow apply for dual citizenship now?

Appreciate it!

 

[hawk39]

Born and raised in Canada, moved with family to US due to parents’ work visa at a young age. They later became US citizens. For possible college scholarship opportunities, I became a US citizen at 16 years old. Apparently renounced Canadian citizenship at the time, as parents were not told about dual citizenship. Now looking to possibly move to Canada.

My question is that, since I was a minor at the time and didn’t know anything about this, can I reclaim Canadian citizenship without going through the standard PR process?

Thanks for any guidance!

Did your parents actually apply, go to a Canadian official and renounce their citizenship, or just believed that they did automatically because of the "renounce all foreign alliegiances" phrase in the naturalization oath? In either case, under the 1977 Citizenship Act, Canadians don't lose citizenship unless they have it revoked or they renounce it personally, so more than likely, you are still a Canadian citizen.

 

[armoured]

You should probably apply for a certificate of citizenship:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/already-citizen.html

As noted, I don't believe that you could have renounced before age 18.

 

[Lauragc]

Yes, was just looking at that! Any ideas on how to find out sooner than the 17 months (gasp!) the website suggests? Even if formal documents take that long, I’d love to have an answer sooner.

You should probably apply for a certificate of citizenship:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/already-citizen.html

As noted, I don't believe that you could have renounced before age 18.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Born and raised in Canada, moved with family to US due to parents’ work visa at a young age. They later became US citizens. For possible college scholarship opportunities, I became a US citizen at 16 years old. Apparently renounced Canadian citizenship at the time, as parents were not told about dual citizenship. Now looking to possibly move to Canada.

My question is that, since I was a minor at the time and didn’t know anything about this, can I reclaim Canadian citizenship without going through the standard PR process?

Thanks for any guidance!

1. It is unlikely that you formally renounced you citizenship at the age of 16, You have to be 18 before Canada would consider it.
2. Also Canada recognizes dual citizenship you and probably your parents still have Canadian citizenship.

 

[meyakanor]

It is very likely that you are still a Canadian citizen. Do you still have your birth certificate? You should be able to apply for a passport using that alone (though you may have some difficulty finding a guarantor, unless you know somebody in Canada).

 

[armoured]

It's a good point, if you have your Canadian birth certificate, you may be able to apply for passport directly. Or even both at the same time.