Canadian-born parents can now pass citizenship to children, i.e., Canada allows many people born outside the country to claim Canadian citizenship through their parents.
If at least one parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of a child’s birth, that child may automatically qualify as a Canadian citizen by descent.
This applies even if the person has never lived in Canada.
Canadian citizens by descent hold the same citizenship rights as people born in Canada.
With the correct supporting documents, eligible individuals can apply for proof of Canadian citizenship and later obtain a Canadian passport.
How To Apply For A Canadian Passport?
Before applying for a Canadian passport, a person must first obtain a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This certificate acts as official confirmation of Canadian citizenship.
Once the certificate is issued, it can then be used to apply for a Canadian passport.
For people with a Canadian-born parent, the application process is usually simple.
Applicants generally need to submit:
- A birth certificate showing the names of their parents; and
- Proof that at least one parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of birth.
If the parent was born in Canada, a Canadian birth certificate is usually enough to prove citizenship.
If the parent became Canadian through naturalization, documents such as a citizenship certificate or naturalization record may be required instead.
After submitting a complete proof of citizenship application along with supporting documents, applicants can currently expect a decision in around 10 months.
Once the citizenship certificate is received, Canadian passport applications are usually completed within 10 to 20 business days.
Understanding Dual Citizenship
For many Americans, applying for Canadian citizenship by descent carries no major disadvantages.
Both Canada and the United States recognize dual citizenship.
This means U.S.-Canadian dual citizens can legally hold passports from both countries and enjoy the rights available to citizens of each nation.
Canada also does not apply worldwide taxation to its citizens, unlike the United States.
As a result, obtaining Canadian citizenship does not automatically create extra Canadian tax obligations for Americans.
However, dual citizenship rules are different around the world.
Some countries do not generally allow adults to hold dual citizenship.
These include:
- China
- Japan
- India
- Singapore
- Saudi Arabia
Other countries, including Austria and Netherlands, allow dual citizenship only in certain situations.
Countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia generally allow dual citizenship.
Because citizenship laws vary from country to country, applicants are encouraged to understand how their other nationality may be affected before applying for Canadian citizenship by descent.
Which Passport Should Be Used For Travel?
For dual citizens, the general rule is to use the passport of the country being entered.
For example:
- Canadian citizens should enter Canada using a Canadian passport; and
- American citizens should enter the United States using a U.S. passport.
When travelling to a third country, dual citizens can usually choose whichever passport offers better travel access or visa-free entry.
The same principle applies to people holding Canadian citizenship together with citizenship from another country.
Citizenship Through Grandparents Or Earlier Generations
Some people may still qualify for Canadian citizenship even if their parent never had a Canadian passport or formal citizenship documents.
Under changes made to Canada’s citizenship law in December 2025, individuals born on or before December 15, 2025 may still qualify if they can trace their family line back to a Canadian ancestor.
This could include a:
- Grandparent
- Great-grandparent
- Earlier Canadian ancestor
These cases usually require more paperwork because applicants must prove a continuous line of descent.
This often means collecting official records from Canadian provincial archives, including birth, marriage, and other historical documents.
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