Triple citizenship? Am I already a citizen?

[Floridahockey]

Hi guys,

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this but anyways here it goes. I am 24 and I'm applying for proof of Canadian citizenship. I'm born and live in the US and both of my parents were born in England so I hold A US and UK passport. My grandfather on my dads side was born in Canada so my father became a naturalized citizen through decent in the early 80s thus making my father a triple citizen of the US, UK, and Canada. Now since MY father was a naturalized citizen of Canada before I was born would that mean I am a Canadian citizen because I was born to at least one Canadian parent? I applied and included my fathers Canadian citizenship papers as well as my grandfathers Canadian birth certificate. Online it says a decision was made but I'm just very curious if it will come back with a positive result. I'm also curious to know if it will affect the decision if my father has never been to Canada but is still a citizen. I am planning on moving to Toronto in the fall so this is very important. Thanks!

 

[alphazip]

If your father inherited his Canadian citizenship from his father (your grandfather), then he is a Canadian citizen by descent, not naturalization. You say your father became a Canadian citizen in the 1980s, but you don't say when he was born. Different rules applied at different periods, so without knowing when your father was born, it's difficult to give a definitive answer. However, let's say your father was born in England in 1965, and your grandfather registered your father's birth (as was then required). In that case, your father would have been a citizen from birth (not from the 1980s), though he may have received his citizenship certificate in the 1980s. If so, then he would have been a Canadian citizen when you were born in 1991/2. Therefore, you would be a Canadian citizen from birth, but would have had to confirm your citizenship by age 28. However, that requirement was eliminated in 2009, and since you had not reached age 28 by 2009, you would be a Canadian citizen now. Of course, the scenario could be different. Your father may have made a delayed registration of birth abroad in the 1980s. The important thing is that he was a Canadian citizen when you were born. If so, then you were already a Canadian citizen when the right to citizenship of descendants born abroad in the 2nd generation was eliminated in 2009, so that limitation can be ignored. And no, it doesn't matter whether your father ever set foot in Canada.

 

[Floridahockey]

My father was born in the UK around 1955. He got his citizenship through descent in 1984 thus making me a second generation but since he was a citizen before I was born in 91 that would mean the limitation of 2009 would be ignored is that correct? Which would entitle me to citizenship right?

 

[alphazip]

My father was born in the UK around 1955. He got his citizenship through descent in 1984 thus making me a second generation but since he was a citizen before I was born in 91 that would mean the limitation of 2009 would be ignored is that correct? Which would entitle me to citizenship right?

Yes, except that I don't understand how your father could be born in 1955, yet get citizenship by descent in 1984. Citizenship by descent is acquired at birth. He may have applied for a certificate in 1984, but that wouldn't be the date of his citizenship...unless there's something else you haven't mentioned. Do you have a copy of your father's certificate from 1984? Assuming it's the large type certificate, does it have anything on the back about the date your father became a citizen?

 

[Floridahockey]

Yes, except that I don't understand how your father could be born in 1955, yet get citizenship by descent in 1984. Citizenship by descent is acquired at birth. He may have applied for a certificate in 1984, but that wouldn't be the date of his citizenship...unless there's something else you haven't mentioned. Do you have a copy of your father's certificate from 1984? Assuming it's the large type certificate, does it have anything on the back about the date your father became a citizen?

Sorry i didn't clarify it more. He acquired HIS citizenship by descent at birth in 1955. He just applied and received his proof of citizenship certificate 1984.


Also thank you so much for your help!!!

 

[dnyfyn]

You can apply and see will CIC approves it or not.

However, the new rule is that the citizenship by descent is limited to 1 generation. That means your father. So I have doubts whether you will qualify for citizenship

 

[Godzilla9]

There is one more thing that you need to consider when you identify whether you are a Canadian citizen or not, it's your age. I think there is a limitation of age until which you must apply to have your citizenship verified.

 

[gabba50]

I am not sure if it applies to people from UK but if your grandpa was a canadian, your dad is the 1st generstion born outside and you are the 2nd generation born outside. unless your dad is a soldier or a diplomat or those kind of high profile jobs,you are not a Canadian citizen but your dad can sponsor you easily. Good luck

 

[alphazip]

Sorry i didn't clarify it more. He acquired HIS citizenship by descent at birth in 1955. He just applied and received his proof of citizenship certificate 1984.


Also thank you so much for your help!!!

The last three posters are wrong. If a person was already a Canadian citizen before April 17, 2009, then it doesn't matter how many generations removed from a Canadian-born ancestor they are. Also, the age of the person is immaterial. If the OP's father was a Canadian citizen when he was born in 1991/2, then the OP is a Canadian citizen now.

 

[Floridahockey]

Just got the letter in the mail today saying that I am a Canadian citizen! Thanks for all the answers guys!

 

[dnyfyn]

congratz. when did u apply and how long did it take

 

[Floridahockey]

I applied on October 6th and just received it tonight!