Timeline to get Canadian Citizenship Card for US citizen

[movingnorth]

I'm not sure if this is the right topic area. If not please let me know where to move it to.

I'm a US citizen born in Canada, but I've never applied for my citizenship card. Early in the month I send my paperwork in and today my letter of application in process was sent. The website says 5 months, plus 3-4 if I live outside of Canada. But I've also read on here that my timeline could be faster than people applying for citizenship.

Assuming my application was in order, does anyone have any idea what the real timeline is?

TIA

 

[tmota]

Being born in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen. If you have a Canadian birth certificate, that's also your citizenship certificate. You can apply for a Canadian passport with your birth certificate, if that's what you are getting a citizenship certificate for: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/passport/apply/citizenship-proof.asp

 

[movingnorth]

Ok. Good to know. I do want a passport for myself, as well as my kids immediately. Since my husband can't get citizenship directly I am also interested in sponsoring him. I figured I'd need my citizenship card for that, but maybe not?

In the big picture he and I would like to try to move and get jobs. I wasn't sure if I could even apply for a job, stating I was a Canadian citizen, without a citizenship card.

Thanks again.

 

[pie_vancouver]

Is it because of Trump? ;D ;D

 

[tmota]

Well, your case is fairly specific. Do your kids were born in Canada as well? If not, they need to have a citizenship certificate for the passport - they are Canadians by your side, but since they'll need citizenship proof for the passport, if they don't have a Canadian birth certificate, they'll need the citizenship certificate for that. That's when the processing times you first mentioned will apply.

As for your husband, first he'll be a permanent resident - with your sponsorship - and there's a different processing time for that. After 1460 days living in Canada as a PR, then he'll be able to apply for citizenship, just like the rest of us, as Canada does not grant citizenship by marriage. But I don't know how the law goes for US citizens coming to Canada to work. Maybe your family can move right away, start working, and be here for the whole process, as the countries share close relations. The CIC website might have all that info.

 

[alphazip]

Is it because of Trump? ;D ;D

Don't dare ask! MarceauBletard may call you names!

 

[canvis2006]

Nowadays only a paper certificate is issued. Cards are no longer made/issued.
With that paper, applicant can apply for Cdn passport