Apply for citizenship: How to apply

You need to choose the online or paper application. Do not apply both ways.

Apply online

Find out how to apply online

• as a family or a group
• for a minor (under 18)
• with a representative

You must apply on paper in the following situations:

• In your physical presence calculation, you include time spent outside Canada as
  • a crown servant or
  • a family member of the crown servant (child, spouse or common-law partner).
  • If you want your representative’s help with the online application, you must complete and submit the application yourself.

  We’re working so everyone can apply online in the future.

  If you have a representative

  • is someone you choose to help you complete your application
  • can be paid (authorized) (opens in a new tab) or unpaid
  • may be a family member, friend, lawyer or consultant
  • communicates and does business with us for you after you submit the application

  If you apply online with the help of a representative, you must

  • create your own account to apply online with your email address
  • not share your account or password with anyone (including your representative)
  • sign, date and submit your online application

  Your representative may

  • help you to answer the questions in the online application
  • communicate with us for you after you submit your application
  • provide other assistance, information and advice

  If you want your representative to complete and submit your application for you, apply on paper (opens in a new tab) . We’re working so a representative can apply online for an applicant in the future.

  You don’t need to use a representative

  It’s your choice. Using one will not

  • draw special attention to your application
  • guarantee the approval of your application

  Apply on paper

  Get an application package

  The application package includes the instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Use the instruction guide and the document checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything.

  Choose the application package for your situation:

  • Adult (age 18 or older)
  • Parent or guardian applying for a minor (under age 18)
  • Minor without a Canadian parent applying alone
  • Adult who served with the Canadian Armed Forces
  • Adoption by a Canadian citizen
  • Stateless person born to a Canadian parent

  Pay the application fees

  Your fees depend on whether you’re an adult (age 18 and over) or a minor (under age 18). Your fees may include

  • the processing fee
  • the right of citizenship fee

  You have to pay your fees online.

  • Only pay your fees once you’re ready to submit your application.
  • Include the receipt with your application.
  • If you’re submitting more than 1 application at the same time, you can pay all the fees together (1 receipt) or separately (multiple receipts).

  Submit your application

  You must be eligible for Canadian citizenship the day before you sign the application form.

  • you sign the application form
  • you date the form the day you sign it (don’t use a date in the past or future)
  • that the date of signature on the application form is the same as the “Application date” in the physical presence calculation for these applications:
    • Adult (age 18 or older).
    • Minor (under 18) without a Canadian parent applying alone.
    • We’ll return your application to you if we receive it more than 90 days after the date on the form.

    If you’re submitting more than 1 application

    Make sure that everyone’s applications are complete. We’ll return all submitted applications to you if at least 1 of them is incomplete.

    If you want us to process everyone’s applications together, put all applications and receipts in the same envelope. Otherwise, we’ll process them separately.

    Send your completed application form and all documents in the application package by mail or courier:

    Regular mail	Courier
    Case Processing Centre - Sydney Citizenship Grants P.O. Box 7000 Sydney, NS B1P 6V6	IRCC Digitization Centre - Citizenship 3050 Wilson Ave New Waterford, NS B1H 5V8

    Track your application

    We recommend that you use a postal or courier service with a tracking number to ensure you get proof that your application was delivered to the IRCC office.

    Apply for citizenship urgently

    Processing times show how long it takes us to process applications for citizenship. We can process applications faster in special cases.