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Trying to figure out if I'm Canadian

spruce46

Newbie
Oct 24, 2016
4
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I'm trying to figure out if I'm Canadian. The tool says its too complex.

My deceased grandfather was born in Alberta in 1920.

My deceased father was born in wedlock in Scotland in 1944 and moved to Canada in 1946 (January) and is my understanding he was made a Canadian citizen in 1947 and he stayed there until 1972 (He then went to the UK).

I was born in 1992 in the UK.

From my research the only way my dad would have lost citizenship is if he wasn't in Canada on his 24th birthday (But he was).

Am I correct in thinking I am a Canadian citizen?

Also the Government of Alberta could only provide me with a Birth record of my grandfather (as they don't provide birth certificates over 90 years old, unless the holder is still alive), do you think this will suffice in my application for proof?
 

alphazip

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May 23, 2013
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British subjects with Canadian domicile immediately before 1 January 1947 became Canadian citizens on that date. However, according to the immigration tool and other sources, there was a limitation on that right. The British citizen apparently had to be resident in Canada for either 5 years (if a landed immigrant) or 20 years (if not a landed immigrant?). In that case, your father would not qualify for citizenship under that provision.

However, as the son (born abroad) of a father born in Canada, your father (and his father) became Canadian citizens on 1 January 1947. If your father was not resident in Canada by his 24th birthday, he would have lost his Canadian citizenship, but you say he was living in Canada at that time. So, he would have kept his Canadian citizenship for the rest of his life.

Since you were born in 1992 to a Canadian citizen, you would have become a Canadian citizen at birth. As of 2009, citizenship is limited to the 1st generation born abroad, but, since you were already a citizen before 2009, you were not affected.

The birth record should be fine as long as it bears some kind of certification that it is an official record and not just a photocopy. You may be asked to produce some kind of evidence that your father was resident in Canada when he turned 24.
 

spruce46

Newbie
Oct 24, 2016
4
0
Yeah I managed to find his ship manifest, with him, his parents and his aunt. :)

From my understanding though it wouldn't matter though as from my understanding anyone who was a minor on January 1947 born to a Canadian father (if born to a married couple) became a Canadian citizen and as I was born before 2009, I believe I would be a Canadian citizen, but your right, I think it means I'm a citizen either way.

"children born outside Canada to a Canadian father (or mother, if born out of wedlock) before 1947"
 

spruce46

Newbie
Oct 24, 2016
4
0
I'm guessing if I send of my grandfathers birth record, fathers birth certificate and ship record, it should be enough
 

alphazip

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May 23, 2013
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spruce46 said:
Yeah I managed to find his ship manifest, with him, his parents and his aunt. :)

From my understanding though it wouldn't matter though as from my understanding anyone who was a minor on January 1947 born to a Canadian father (if born to a married couple) became a Canadian citizen and as I was born before 2009, I believe I would be a Canadian citizen, but your right, I think it means I'm a citizen either way.

"children born outside Canada to a Canadian father (or mother, if born out of wedlock) before 1947"
I altered/updated my post while you were answering mine. Yes, that's right.
 

spruce46

Newbie
Oct 24, 2016
4
0
alphazip said:
I altered/updated my post while you were answering mine. Yes, that's right.
Thanks. Once I get the copy of my grandfathers birth record, I'll send off the application. I found a census record with him for the year after his 24th, I hope that'll be enough.