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When and how do I apply urgently for a search of citizenship records?

We can process applications faster than our normal processing times in special cases.

You can ask for urgent processing if you need to

  • confirm to a foreign government that you’re not a citizen (for example, to get a passport from that country)
  • administer the estate of a deceased person or execute a will
  • show you are (or are not) a citizen to get a certain job

Your request for urgent processing must include

  • an explanation letter
  • supporting documents, for example
    • a letter from a foreign government stating that they need the information
    • documents that show you’re administering an estate or the executor of a will
    • a letter from an employer

We review your request to see if it qualifies. Even if you qualify, we can’t guarantee that you’ll get your search of citizenship record on time.

You must choose between applying online or on paper.

  • To get someone else’s record , you can only apply on paper.
  • Do not submit both online and paper applications for the same request.
    • If you do, we won’t process your duplicate application.

You applied on paper 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 number(s)
  • a message that starts with “Request for urgent processing”

You applied on paper 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 applied online

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 number(s)
  • a message that starts with “Request for urgent processing”
  • any documents that will support your explanation

You haven’t applied yet: Get your own records urgently

You may choose to apply online or on paper for your own records.

Apply online urgently

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

Answer “Yes” and

  • explain why you need urgent processing
  • upload documents to support your explanation

Our online application tool works best in Google Chrome. Once you start the application, you have 60 days to submit it.

Create an account or sign in

Apply on paper urgently

  1. 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
  2. Pay your application fee (opens in a new tab) 
  3. Submit your application

You haven’t applied yet: Get someone else’s records urgently

To get someone else’s record (opens in a new tab) , you need to apply on paper .

Do not apply online. If you do, we won’t process your online application.

  1. 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
  2. Pay your application fee (opens in a new tab) 
  3. Submit your application

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