When and how do I apply urgently for a citizenship certificate?

Status of changes to the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent Updated December 15, 2025

On December 15, 2025, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-3 to change the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in December 2023 that the limit was unconstitutional for many people. In March 2025, we introduced an interim measure to support those affected.

We will now process all applications submitted under the interim measure using the new rules.

Learn more about this change.

In some cases, we may be able to process applications faster than our normal processing times.

You can apply urgently for a citizenship certificate (proof of Canadian citizenship) for reasons such as:

to help avoid situations of harm or hardship due to factors such as
- race
- religion
- nationality
- sexual orientation
- gender identity or expression, or
- membership in particular groups
to move your minor child (under 18) to Canada and they
- were born outside Canada, and
- have a Canadian parent
to help with a case of statelessness
to travel because of death or serious illness in the family, and you’re unable to get a passport in your other nationality
to give up (renounce) foreign citizenship by a certain date
for employment or education, specifically to:
- apply for a job
- avoid losing a current job
- attend a school, college or university
you need to access social benefits like
- a pension
- health care
- a social insurance number

Your request for urgent processing must include

an explanation letter
supporting documents, for example
- your plane ticket or itinerary, with proof of payment
- a letter from your employer
- a letter from your school
- a doctor’s note
- a death certificate

We’ll review your request to see if it qualifies for urgent processing. Even if it qualifies, we can’t guarantee that you’ll get your citizenship certificate on time.

We will not process incomplete applications.
Even if we process your request urgently, we may not be able to finish it in time to help your situation.
If your request doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, you should get your certificate within the normal processing time.

Urgent processing for dual Canadian citizens

Dual Canadian citizens can apply for a citizenship certificate urgently. To qualify, you must

also be a citizen of a visa-exempt country
have proof of air travel to Canada within 6 months following the date of application

You can apply for urgent processing

online, if you qualify, or
on paper

Urgent processing: Submitted paper application (from outside Canada and the United States)

Contact the Canadian embassy, consulate or high commission (opens in a new tab) where you submitted your application.

You need to prepare

a letter explaining why you need urgent processing
documents to support your explanation

Urgent processing: Submitted paper application (from Canada or the United States)

Fill out the web form (opens in a new tab) to explain why you need urgent processing.

Include

your full name, date of birth, email address and telephone numbers
a message that starts with “Request for urgent processing”
any documents that will support your explanation
- Make sure your documents are in the correct format.

Urgent processing: Submitted online application

Fill out the web form (opens in a new tab) to explain why you need urgent processing.

Include

your full name, date of birth, email address and telephone numbers
a message that starts with “Request for urgent processing”
any documents that will support your explanation
- Make sure your documents are in the correct format.

Urgent processing: New online application

We’ll ask you if you need urgent processing in the application.

Answer yes, and

give an explanation of why you need urgent processing
upload documents to support your explanation

Create an account or sign in

Urgent processing: New paper application

Complete the application package(opens in a new tab) .

Include with your application
- a letter explaining why you need urgent processing
- documents to support your explanation
Pay your application fee (opens in a new tab) .
Submit your application.
- Write “Urgent – Citizenship Certificate (Proof)” in large, dark letters on the envelope.
- Find out where to submit your application (opens in a new tab) .