If you have a Canadian ancestor, you may be entitled to Canadian citizenship under the 2025 Bill C-3 rules. Our immigration lawyers will prepare your full application — eligibility analysis, documents review, IRCC submission, and follow-up until your Proof of Citizenship certificate is issued.
HOW IT WORKS
We confirm your entitlement under the current Bill C-3 rules — whether through a Canadian parent, grandparent, or a previously lost claim.
Our lawyers prepare your complete Proof of Canadian Citizenship application. We review every supporting document — birth certificates, your relative's proof of citizenship, name-change records — and assemble the file IRCC expects to see.
We submit your application to IRCC, respond to any requests on your behalf, and monitor it through to a final decision. Once approved, we help you retrieve your citizenship certificate and prepare you to apply for your Canadian passport.
A citizenship by descent application is a legal file submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It requires precise documentation tracing your line of descent from a Canadian citizen — and any missing piece can delay or refuse the file.
Canadim's immigration lawyers handle the full file: we review your eligibility under the current rules, identify the documents IRCC requires, review such documents, prepare the application, and submit it on your behalf. We then monitor it until a decision is rendered.
If IRCC issues a request for additional information, we respond directly. If your relative's records are incomplete, we advise on the alternative evidence accepted in your situation. The goal is a clean, complete file the first time — and a Proof of Canadian Citizenship certificate at the end of it.
With over 23 years of experience, Canadim is one of Canada's leading immigration law firms. Our team has guided thousands of individuals through Canadian citizenship and immigration applications — including the complex descent and "Lost Canadian" cases unlocked by Bill C-3.
Citizenship by descent is technical: dates of birth, generational lines, the December 15, 2025 cut-off, and the substantial connection rule all shape whether you qualify and what you must prove. We handle that analysis so you submit a file that is correct on the first attempt — and is processed without avoidable delays.
"Canadim is a great law firm consisting of an organized, helpful and professional team. They take their time to check all details of your case with you and will give you the best options to achieve your objectives. You will have constant communications with them, while reviewing your documents, which helps creating a flawless application. I had the opportunity to work with Jasmine, a very nice and professional member of the team, who was always available to answer my questions during the process. I would recommend this firm to anyone, without a doubt. I would like to thank Canadim, and specifically Jasmine, for all their support."
"First of all, I want to thank Canadim for all the help you have done to me. All their staff are very accommodating and approachable. They are patient and always answer all my questions and guided me step by step whenever I have problems or don't know what to do. They are always there to help throughout the processing. Thank you all for your tremendous help. I'm so grateful and thankful! I highly recommend Canadim. You're the best! God bless you always and may you continue helping people."
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You are applying for a Proof of Canadian Citizenship certificate from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This certificate is the official confirmation that you are a Canadian citizen. Once you receive it, you can apply for a Canadian passport and access all the rights of citizenship.
IRCC processing times for Proof of Canadian Citizenship applications typically range from 11 to 15 months, depending on case complexity. Files involving a grandparent, missing records, or claims under the new Bill C-3 provisions may take longer. A complete, well-documented application is the single biggest factor in avoiding delays.
The core documents are your birth certificate, proof of Canadian citizenship for the parent or grandparent you are claiming through, and any marriage or name-change records that connect the family line. If the child was born on or after December 15, 2025, you may also need proof that your Canadian parent lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days before your birth. We tell you exactly what your case requires before you start gathering.
This is common, especially for older claims involving great grandparents and further. Alternative documents are often accepted, and records can sometimes be requested from Canadian authorities. Missing one document rarely means you are ineligible — it usually means we need to identify the right substitute.
No. The vast majority of applicants live outside Canada — in the US, the UK, or elsewhere — and there is no residency requirement to apply for proof of citizenship by descent. The only exception is the substantial connection rule, which applies to certain children born on or after December 15, 2025, and is about the Canadian parent's residence, not the applicant's.
Yes. Canada allows dual citizenship, and the United States does not require you to renounce US citizenship when acquiring another nationality. US citizens commonly hold both passports. Tax obligations depend on residency, not citizenship — being recognized as Canadian does not by itself create Canadian tax liability if you live outside Canada.
You must first receive your Proof of Canadian Citizenship certificate from IRCC. Once the certificate is issued, you can apply for a Canadian passport — that step is typically much faster than the citizenship application itself. The certificate is the legal proof a passport application requires.
It is not required. However, citizenship by descent under Bill C-3 involves precise legal analysis — generational lines, dates of birth, the December 15, 2025 cut-off, and the substantial connection rule. A lawyer-prepared file reduces the risk of refusal or a lengthy back-and-forth with IRCC. For great grandparent-based cases and Lost Canadian claims, professional preparation is especially valuable.
Ready to start your application? Our legal team will review your situation and confirm the strongest path to a Proof of Canadian Citizenship certificate.
Schedule a free confidential consultation — same business day response.