What identity documents does IRCC require for proof of citizenship?

This update is part of the Bill C-3 citizenship by descent hub, with the Citizenship guide. Every proof of Canadian citizenship application must include two valid pieces of identification with the rest of the package. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada uses them to confirm the applicant is the person named on the file.

Each document must show full name and date of birth, with at least one showing a photograph, and both must be valid on the date of submission. Missing any of these requirements can lead to a returned application.

Accepted Canadian examples include health insurance identification cards, age of majority cards, senior citizen's cards, and Certificate of Indian Status cards. IRCC states the list is examples only and not complete, with no order of priority.

Rejected as the two identity documents are Social Insurance Number cards, previous Canadian citizenship certificates, and birth certificates when used only as ID. Birth certificates remain required elsewhere to establish date and place of birth and to link a child to a parent.

Can applicants outside Canada use foreign IDs?

Yes. For applicants outside Canada, foreign government documents with equivalent function may be used, such as a United States passport or a state issued driver's licence.

Foreign IDs not in English or French require a translation and an affidavit from the translator. Many applicants abroad, especially in the United States, may never have held Canadian identification, which is why IRCC permits foreign equivalents in some cases.

A lawyer at Cohen Immigration told CIC News that for clients with citizenship in two countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, applicants can submit both valid passports as the two pieces of identification. The same lawyer listed a government issued travel card, noting such documents show name, date of birth, and photo so any two could satisfy IRCC's requirement.

What does the two document rule mean for your application?

For you, it means you cannot mail a proof of citizenship package until you have two separate government issued IDs that are not expired, each showing your full legal name and date of birth, with at least one bearing your photo.

Using expired documents or wrong document types can cause IRCC to return or delay an application. A common error is submitting a document that is expired or soon to expire, because IRCC asks for valid identification even when name, photo, and date of birth have not changed.

Parents applying for minors without two IDs or without photo ID may need an explanation letter, with possible officer discretion for preschool aged children. Americans file more proof of citizenship applications than the next nine countries combined, and many have never held Canadian identification.

What should applicants do before submitting?

Applicants are advised to check expiry dates on both documents before mailing the application, renew lapsed documents or choose other accepted IDs, and use a checklist before submission.

Those with doubts about citizenship by descent applications are directed to seek guidance from a licensed immigration lawyer. Two valid, non expired identity documents that meet IRCC's name, date of birth, and photo rules are essential for proof of citizenship filings, and avoiding common mistakes such as expired IDs or using birth certificates as one of the two IDs can reduce returns and delays.