Getting or replacing a citizenship certificate

The Citizenship Act includes a first-generation limit to citizenship by descent. This limit generally means someone isn't automatically a Canadian citizen if

• they were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, and
• their Canadian parent was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent

In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first-generation limit for many individuals is unconstitutional.

However, the Court has suspended the declaration until December 19, 2024. This means that the current rules still apply until further notice.

Find out

• how the first-generation limit affects you
• what you can apply for (including urgent application, if applicable)

Check your next steps

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident currently in Iran, you can apply for the following documents for free:

• Canadian passport
• Canadian citizenship certificate
• permanent resident travel document

Learn more about the special measures.