Did you know that if your parent or grandparent was a Canadian citizen, you might be a Canadian citizen too—even if you were born outside of Canada? This is known as citizenship by descent.

Being a Canadian citizen gives you some amazing perks, like the right to live and work in Canada. But before you can grab your Canadian passport, there are a few steps you need to follow!

First, you must prove your citizenship. This means getting a proof of citizenship certificate. You can easily find out if you are indeed a citizen by using the Canadian government’s handy tool called “Am I a Canadian?”. If you find out you are, that’s fantastic—now you can apply for your passport!

But wait! If you’re worried about being affected by the first-generation limit (FGL), which sometimes complicates things, you may be eligible for special measures to help you out. This includes lost Canadians who might still be entitled to citizenship.

Getting the ball rolling? Here’s a quick overview of how you can prove your citizenship and apply for that precious passport:

Step 1: Gather the necessary documents, including your application form and identity proof.

Step 2: Pay the $75 fee for your citizenship certificate.

Step 3: Submit your application and await your acknowledgment.

Once you have your citizenship certificate in hand, you're ready to apply for your Canadian passport. It's as easy as filling out the application, getting the right documents together, and submitting it!

Whether you choose to apply by mail or in-person, make sure you know what you need to include. Want to accelerate the processing time? Options are available for both urgent applications and standard requests!

So what are you waiting for? Get started on your journey to claiming your Canadian citizenship by descent today!