Skip to content
Pass15

Guide

The Canadian citizenship certificate: what it is and how to get or replace it

A Canadian citizenship certificate is an official document that proves you are a Canadian citizen. It comes as an electronic certificate (e-certificate) or a paper certificate. You choose the format in your citizenship application, and you get it at or after your citizenship ceremony.

Checked against canada.ca on November 1, 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on canada.ca before you act.

What is the citizenship certificate?

A citizenship certificate is an official document that proves your Canadian citizenship. If you become a citizen by applying for citizenship, you get it after IRCC approves your application.Source: canada.ca, Valid proofs of Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab)

There are 2 formats: electronic (e-certificate) and paper. You choose the format in your application, and at the ceremony you are asked to confirm your choice. You can only have 1 valid citizenship certificate: paper or electronic.Source: canada.ca, Valid proofs of Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Learn more about the electronic citizenship certificate (opens in a new tab)

Both formats show the same information. The only difference is the certificate number: it starts with an "X" on an e-certificate and a "K" on a paper certificate. The paper certificate is an 8½ x 11-inch document.Source: canada.ca, Valid proofs of Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab)

  • The certificate number
  • Your unique client identifier (UCI)
  • Your family name and given name(s), date of birth and gender
  • The effective date of citizenship. If you applied to become a citizen, this is either the date of your citizenship ceremony or the date IRCC approved your application. The approval date applies to some people, such as minors under 14 and people with a ceremony waiver.

When do you get it after the ceremony?

If you become a citizen through a citizenship application, you don't need to apply separately for a certificate. When you will get it depends on the format you chose and the type of ceremony.Source: canada.ca, Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: Who can apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

  • E-certificate: IRCC emails you a letter that explains how to download it from the IRCC Portal. You get this email after you attend the ceremony, sign, date and return your Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form, and IRCC confirms you are a citizen in its system. The e-certificate is available in the IRCC Portal within 5 business days of IRCC receiving your signed and dated form.Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
  • Paper certificate, in-person ceremony: you get your paper certificate at the ceremony, after you take the oath.
  • Paper certificate, virtual ceremony: it comes in the mail to your Canadian address 2 to 4 weeks after IRCC receives your signed Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form.

What the certificate is used for

You can use your certificate as proof of your Canadian citizenship when you apply for things like:Source: canada.ca, Valid proofs of Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab)

What the certificate is not, and how to keep it safe

Your certificate is not a passport or travel document. You can't use it to enter Canada. As a Canadian citizen, you need a Canadian passport to travel abroad and come back to Canada. Your permanent resident card is destroyed or collected at the ceremony.Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Valid proofs of Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab)

It is also not an identity document. It proves your citizenship, but it doesn't prove your identity.Source: canada.ca, Valid proofs of Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab)

To look after your certificate:Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

How to replace a certificate or get proof of citizenship

If you are already a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a citizenship certificate (also called proof of citizenship) to:Source: canada.ca, Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: Who can apply (opens in a new tab)

  • Have a document that proves your citizenship, for example to apply for a passport, job, pension or social insurance number.
  • Replace a lost, destroyed or stolen certificate.
  • Update your certificate, for example after a legal name change.
  • Find out for sure if you are a Canadian citizen, if you don't know.

Fee and how to apply

As of November 1, 2026, canada.ca lists the fee for proof of citizenship (citizenship certificate) as $75. You may be able to apply online. If you can't or don't want to apply online, you can apply on paper.Source: canada.ca, Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: About the process (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: How to apply (opens in a new tab)

IRCC stopped giving out citizenship cards in February 2012. A citizenship card you already have is still valid proof of citizenship. If you apply to update or replace a citizenship card, IRCC sends you a citizenship certificate instead.Source: canada.ca, Valid proofs of Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: About the process (opens in a new tab)

If you have a technical problem downloading your e-certificate, canada.ca says not to apply to replace it. Contact IRCC through its web form instead.Source: canada.ca, Learn more about the electronic citizenship certificate (opens in a new tab)

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. For your own situation, check with IRCC or a licensed immigration representative.

Common questions

How long after the ceremony do I get my citizenship certificate?
At an in-person ceremony, you get a paper certificate at the ceremony. After a virtual ceremony, a paper certificate is mailed to your Canadian address 2 to 4 weeks after IRCC receives your signed oath form. An e-certificate is available in the IRCC Portal within 5 business days of IRCC receiving your signed and dated oath form.Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
Is an e-certificate as valid as a paper certificate?
Yes. The e-certificate is a valid proof of Canadian citizenship, even when you print it, show it on your device or send it as a file.Source: canada.ca, Valid proofs of Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Learn more about the electronic citizenship certificate (opens in a new tab)
Can I travel with my citizenship certificate?
No. The certificate is not a travel document, and you can't use it to enter Canada. You need a Canadian passport to travel abroad and return to Canada.Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
Can I apply for a Canadian passport right after the ceremony?
You can only apply for a passport after you get your citizenship certificate. If you have an e-certificate, you must print it to apply.Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
I lost my citizenship certificate. What do I do?
You can apply for a citizenship certificate to replace a lost, destroyed or stolen one. As of November 1, 2026, the fee listed on canada.ca is $75.Source: canada.ca, Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: Who can apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: About the process (opens in a new tab)
I was born in Canada. Do I need a citizenship certificate?
canada.ca says a provincial or territorial birth certificate should be enough to prove Canadian citizenship. You may still apply for a citizenship certificate.Source: canada.ca, Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate: Who can apply (opens in a new tab)