Seven mistakes to avoid when applying for Canadian citizenship - IRCC

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is urging applicants seeking citizenship certificates under the new citizenship by descent law to meticulously check their application packages. The agency highlighted that common errors can cause significant delays or lead to applications being returned.

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Don’t submit original documents unless the instructions specifically ask for them.

IRCC's updated checklist specifies that applicants must provide supporting documents directly from original issuing authorities, such as civil registries or provincial archives. Documents obtained from genealogy platforms are insufficient on their own. Applicants unable to secure original records must submit a written explanation and evidence of their efforts.

Furthermore, the agency emphasized the importance of high-resolution, color photocopies of supporting documents, warning against submitting originals unless explicitly requested, as they are typically not returned. Strict adherence to citizenship photo requirements, including dimensions and background, is also crucial, as incorrect photos are a frequent cause for application rejection.

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An empty field or section reads as a missing answer, and may lead to your application being dismissed as incomplete and returned.

Applicants are reminded to complete all sections of the application forms, marking non-applicable fields with "N/A" instead of leaving them blank. Unsigned or incorrectly dated forms, or those dated more than 90 days prior to submission, will be returned. IRCC also advises applicants to keep copies of all submitted documents and use tracked shipping services. As of July 2026, processing times for proof of citizenship applications average approximately 19 months.

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Use black ink, since that’s what the form CIT 0001 specifies.