IRCC Suspends Citizenship by Descent Approvals: What Applicants Need to Know

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has suspended an undisclosed number of citizenship certificates issued under Canada’s new Bill C-3 citizenship by descent rules and, in some cases, is asking applicants who were already approved to return their certificates while it conducts secondary reviews.

This is an unusual and significant step. Here is what we know, what it means for affected applicants, and what future applicants should do to protect their claims.

What Is Happening?

IRCC has suspended an undisclosed number of citizenship certificates issued under Canada’s new Bill C-3 citizenship by descent laws. Individuals who were previously approved and issued Canadian citizenship certificates have been asked to return those certificates while IRCC reviews their files a second time.

While the exact reason for these further reviews is unclear, it appears that IRCC has concerns about the documentation supporting applicants’ unbroken chain of descent from a Canadian. 

Given that Bill C-3’s sweeping changes to citizenship by descent rules only came into force on December 15, 2025, this may not be indicative of how IRCC will process future applications.

What it does confirm is this: qualifying for Canadian citizenship by descent is only part of the equation. The application must also be supported by documentation that clearly and convincingly proves eligibility at every step of the family line.

Why Documentation Is the Make-or-Break Factor

Bill C-3 extended citizenship by descent beyond the previous one-generation limit, meaning more people are now eligible, but the documentation requirements are correspondingly more complex. Applications can now span multiple generations, multiple countries, and many decades of family history.

Depending on the case, applicants may need to provide birth certificates, marriage certificates, name change records, historical civil records, certified translations, authenticated documents, and alternative evidence where original records are unavailable. 

In many cases, the Canadian ancestor’s documentation is not the issue; it’s questions about documents that connect one generation to the next. A missing marriage certificate, a name discrepancy, an improperly certified record, or insufficient supporting evidence can raise concerns even when the applicant is otherwise eligible.

What to Do If You Cannot Obtain a Required Document

If you cannot provide source documents supporting your citizenship claim, you will need to provide a written explanation outlining why the documents could not be obtained, along with evidence of the efforts you made to obtain them, such as correspondence with the issuing authority or official confirmation that the records no longer exist.

This is not a simple declaration. IRCC expects a documented paper trail showing genuine efforts to source the records, not a brief note of explanation.

How a Lawyer Can Help Before You Apply

A notable pattern in online forums is that very few affected applicants appear to have sought legal representation. That does not mean representation would have changed the outcome in every case, but it highlights the value of having a licensed immigration lawyer review an application before submission. 

Citizenship by descent applications are not simply about gathering documents. They are about submitting the right documents, identifying gaps in the evidentiary chain, and ensuring every piece of evidence meets IRCC’s standards before the file is filed.

Before submitting your application, Canadim’s immigration lawyers can identify:

• Gaps in the family lineage documentation
• Documents that require additional certification or authentication
• Name discrepancies between generations
• Weak or insufficient supporting evidence
• Situations where stronger source documents may be available
• Opportunities to draft letters of explanation for missing or incomplete records

Canadim’s lawyers have helped many clients successfully apply for citizenship by descent. They know what IRCC is looking for and, more importantly, what IRCC will push back on before it becomes a problem for you.

What Future Applicants Should Do Now

These secondary reviews should not discourage eligible individuals from applying for Canadian citizenship by descent. Instead, they serve as a reminder that citizenship by descent is ultimately a matter of proof. The strongest applications are not the ones with the most documents, they are the ones with the strongest evidence. 

If you are planning to apply, take the following steps before submitting:

1. Map your full generational chain. Identify every generation between you and your Canadian ancestor, and confirm which documents are needed for each link.
2. Audit your documentation. Check for name discrepancies, missing certificates, documents that may require authentication, and records that originated in countries with limited archiving.
3. Address gaps proactively. If a document is unavailable, start building your written explanation and evidence of attempts to obtain it now, not after IRCC asks for it.
4. Get a legal review before submitting. A licensed immigration lawyer can identify issues that are not apparent to applicants unfamiliar with IRCC’s documentation standards.

Canadim Can Help

Although no immigration lawyer can guarantee a positive outcome, professional guidance can make a significant difference in how your application is prepared and presented. Canadim provides support throughout the entire application process, from assessing your eligibility to identifying required documents, preparing your evidence, and helping you avoid the common mistakes that lead to delays or refusals.

Contact Canadim today to discuss your eligibility and how we can help you build the strongest possible citizenship by descent application.

Get started with a citizenship by descent assessment →

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