Canada Reviews Citizenship-by-Descent Certificates: What New Citizens Need to Know

Canada Reviews Citizenship-by-Descent Certificates: What New Citizens Need to Know

If you recently received a Canadian citizenship certificate through descent, your file may now be under review. Some new citizens have been asked to return their certificates while officials re-examine their applications. This could delay your travel, work, or relocation plans.

What is happening?

On June 13, 2026, Canada’s Registrar of Canadian Citizenship sent notices to some new citizens. The notices ask them to return their citizenship certificates. The government is reviewing applications that were approved after recent changes to the Citizenship Act widened eligibility.

The main concerns are:

• Applicants used records from genealogy websites like Ancestry or FamilySearch, not from official sources like provincial vital statistics offices.
• Applicants did not provide proof they tried to get missing official documents.

This does not automatically revoke your citizenship. You can submit additional documents to support your claim. If the government confirms your eligibility, they will return your certificate.

Who is affected?

This review affects:

• New citizens who applied for citizenship-by-descent after the recent law changes.
• Applicants who used records from genealogy websites instead of official government documents.
• People who already received a Canadian passport or Social Insurance Number (SIN) and were preparing to move to Canada.

If you have not received a notice, your file may still be safe. But it is wise to check your documents now.

What you should do

If you received a review notice:

1. Do not ignore it. Respond by the deadline in the letter.
2. Gather official documents. Get birth and marriage certificates from provincial vital statistics offices or civil registries in the country where the event occurred.
3. Contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Ask for guidance on what documents to submit and how.
4. Keep copies of everything you send.

If you have not received a notice:

1. Check your application documents. Make sure they come from official sources, not just genealogy websites.
2. Get official copies now. If you used Ancestry or FamilySearch records, order official documents from the relevant provincial or national authority.
3. Keep your records safe. You may need them later if your file is reviewed.

Bottom line

Canada is reviewing some citizenship-by-descent certificates because of concerns about unofficial records. If you get a notice, you can still prove your eligibility with official documents. If you have not been contacted, check your application now to avoid future problems. Always use official government records for citizenship applications.