New law · Citizenship unlocked for millions
You may already be a
Canadian citizen.
Bill C-3 removed the generational limit on Canadian citizenship by descent. If you have any Canadian ancestor, you likely qualify — no matter how many generations back.
Three steps to your certificate
Canadian citizenship by descent is simpler than most people expect — if you have the right ancestor and the right records.
Discover
Find out if you have a Canadian ancestor. Even one ancestor born in Canada — no matter how many generations back — may be enough.
Take the eligibility quiz →Prove
Gather birth, marriage, and other records for everyone in your line of descent from you back to your Canadian ancestor.
Document requirements →Apply
Submit form CIT0001 to IRCC with your documents and $75 CAD fee. No test, no oath, no medical exam — you're already a citizen.
Full application guide →Not sure if you qualify?
Our 7-question quiz will tell you your eligibility, your generation, and your exact next steps.
Take the Free Eligibility Quiz →Explore the Guide
What is Bill C-3?
The law that removed the generational limit
Document Requirements
What records you need for each ancestor
Province Records Finder
Where to get Canadian birth records by province
Processing Times
AOR timelines and what to expect
Glossary
AOR, PSU, Gen 0, FGL, and more
After Approval
Passport, travel, and what comes next
What is Bill C-3?
Bill C-3 is Canadian federal legislation that came into effect on December 15, 2025, eliminating the old "first-generation limit" on citizenship by descent. Before Bill C-3, only the first generation born abroad to a Canadian citizen could claim citizenship by descent. Now, there is no known limit — community members as far as Gen 9 have received certificates.
Under Bill C-3, anyone with a qualifying Canadian ancestor is deemed a Canadian citizen retroactively from birth. The citizenship certificate is not a new grant — it is official proof of citizenship that already exists.
Read the full Bill C-3 explainer →This site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice. All information is sourced from the official IRCC application guide, the Citizenship Act, and the Canadian citizenship community. Always verify with official sources before applying.