Can I replace my citizenship certificate or card if there’s a mistake on it?
If you received an electronic citizenship certificate (e-certificate), find out how to access it.
It depends on:
- who made the mistake
- how long it’s been since you received your certificate
We made the mistake on the certificate if:
- you gave us the correct information in your application, but
- the certificate has mistakes such as a misspelled name or wrong date of birth
If we made the mistake and it’s been 90 days or less
We’ll replace your certificate for free. Your next steps depend on the certificate type that you have.
Electronic certificate (e-certificate)
If you have an e-certificate, how you contact us depends on what you applied for:
For most applications to become a Canadian citizen (citizenship grant)
This includes applications for
- adults
- minors 14 and older
- Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members
How to send the request
Email the office that sent you your ceremony invitation. If possible, reply directly to the invitation email, so we can answer you faster.
In the email
- type this in the subject line: “E-certificate error – application number (provide your application number(opens in a new tab) )”
- For example: E-certificate error – application number C123456789
- provide the applicant’s name and date of birth
- tell us what needs to be fixed
If your request is urgent
To send an urgent request, follow the instructions above and
- add “Urgent” at the beginning of the email’s subject line
- For example: Urgent - E-certificate error – application number C123456789
- tell us why it’s urgent
- For example, you have an emergency.
- include a document that shows why your request is urgent
After you send the email
We’ll review your request to confirm if we can replace your certificate for free.
If we determine that we did not make the mistake
- we’ll explain why we’re refusing the request
- if you want, you can apply on paper to replace the certificate and pay the fee (opens in a new tab)
For other citizenship applications
This includes applications
- for a minor aged 13 and under to become a Canadian citizen
- for proof of citizenship (citizenship certificate)
- to resume Canadian citizenship after giving it up
How to send your request
Submit a request using our web form (opens in a new tab) .
Complete all the required fields and tell us what needs to be fixed.
If your request is urgent
To send an urgent request, follow the instructions above and
- write “URGENT” in the web form
- tell us why it’s urgent
- For example, you have an emergency.
After you send your request
We’ll review your request to confirm if we can replace your certificate for free.
If we determine we did not make the mistake
- we’ll explain why we’re refusing the request
- if you want, you can apply on paper to replace the certificate and pay the fee (opens in a new tab)
Paper certificate
If you have a paper certificate, find out how to send request and what to expect after you send it:
How to send the request
- Prepare these documents:
- the citizenship certificate with the mistake
- a note explaining what needs to be fixed
If your request is urgent, you also need to
- explain why it’s urgent (for example, if you have an emergency)
- include a document to support your explanation
- write “Urgent” in large, dark letters on the envelope.
- Send your documents to us.
Send them to us by mail or courier if you got the certificate after applying.
- to become a Canadian citizen (grant of citizenship)
- to resume your Canadian citizenship after giving it up
- for a citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) from Canada or the United States
- This includes online and paper applications.
If you applied for a citizenship certificate from outside Canada and the United States, send your documents to the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate(opens in a new tab)
- where you submitted your paper application or
- that you chose in the online application
After you send the request
We’ll review your request to confirm if we can replace your certificate for free.
If we determine that we did not make the mistake
- we’ll explain why we are refusing the request
- you’ll get your documents back
- if you want, you can apply on paper to replace the certificate and pay the fee (opens in a new tab)
If we didn’t make the mistake or it’s been more than 90 days
We won’t be able to replace your certificate for free.
If you still want to correct the mistake, you must apply on paper to replace the certificate and pay the fee.
We stopped issuing the citizenship cards in 2012
If you want to fix a mistake on a citizenship card, you must apply for a citizenship certificate and pay the fee.
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