Including Children in a Canadian Citizenship Application: Concurrent vs. Independent

Adding a child to a Canadian citizenship application is common, but the rules differ from what most parents expect. Children don't follow the same process as adults. Whether your child applies at the same time as you, applies independently, or is applying because a parent already holds citizenship — the pathway and documentation requirements are different in each case.

Here is how minor citizenship works in Canada and what you need to get it right.

Two Pathways for Minor Citizenship

Pathway 1: Minor Applying Concurrently with a Parent (Subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act)

This is the most common scenario. If you are a permanent resident applying for citizenship, your child who is also a permanent resident can apply at the same time. You do this through a single IRCC portal session, linking your child's file to your own.

What the child does not need:

• Physical presence of 1,095 days — there is no residency requirement for a child applying concurrently with a parent
• Tax filing compliance — this requirement is waived
• Language proof — children are exempt regardless of age
• Citizenship knowledge test — all minors under 18 are exempt from the test

What the child does need:

• Valid permanent resident status
• Two citizenship photos (same professional photo specifications as adult photos)
• A color photocopy of both sides of their PR card (or Record of Landing/COPR)
• Color photocopies of the biographical pages of all passports used since they became a PR
• Their birth certificate (to establish the relationship to the parent)

Oath requirement:

• Children aged 14 to 17 must take the Oath of Citizenship at the ceremony
• Children under 14 are exempt from the Oath
• For concurrent applications, the parent (or legal guardian) signs the application. Children aged 14 to 17 must also sign.

What "concurrent" means in practice: Your files are linked in the IRCC portal and reviewed together. If your application is approved, your child's is processed in conjunction. However, there can be situations where an administrative issue in your file delays your child's processing, or vice versa. IRCC generally tries to resolve concurrent files together.

Pathway 2: Minor Applying Without a Canadian Parent (Subsection 5(2) of the Citizenship Act)

This applies when a child who is a permanent resident wants to become a citizen but their parent is not Canadian and is not applying for citizenship at the same time. This is less common but covers situations like children sponsored by a Canadian grandparent or living with a non-citizen guardian.

Requirements for the child in this pathway:

• The child must meet the 1,095-day physical presence requirement (same calculation as for adults)
• Tax filing compliance applies if the child was required to file

The knowledge test and language proof are still waived regardless of which subsection the child applies under. All applicants under 18 are exempt from both.

What Happens at the Citizenship Ceremony with Children

For concurrent applications, the family is typically invited to the same citizenship ceremony. At the ceremony:

• Each eligible family member takes the Oath (if required by age)
• Children under 14 do not take the Oath but are still present and receive their citizenship certificate
• Each person receives their own Certificate of Canadian Citizenship

Children who become citizens through either pathway receive a citizenship certificate with a certificate number starting with "K" (paper) or "X" (digital e-certificate). This certificate is their primary proof of citizenship and will be required for a first Canadian passport application.

Getting a Canadian Passport for Your Child After Citizenship

A child who has just obtained citizenship and needs a Canadian passport follows the same process as a first-time adult applicant, with a few differences:

• Children under 16 receive a 5-year passport (adults receive 5 or 10 years)
• A parent or guardian must sign the application for children under 16
• A guarantor is still required: a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older who has known the family for at least two years and holds a valid Canadian passport

The application fee for a child passport is lower than an adult passport (under $50 as of 2026).

Common Mistakes When Including Children

Mistake 1: Using the child's non-citizenship PR card after the application is submitted. Once your child's citizenship ceremony date is confirmed, their PR status ends when they take the Oath (or when citizenship is granted for children under 14). The PR card is no longer valid and should not be used for travel.

Mistake 2: Submitting one photo for the child. Two identical, professionally-taken photos are required for every applicant, including children.

Mistake 3: Omitting a child's previous passport. If your child traveled internationally and their passport was issued before you applied, that passport must be included in the documentation even if it has since expired.

Mistake 4: Assuming concurrent means simultaneous completion. Your child's file is linked to yours, but if any issue arises in either file, processing can separate. Keep your IRCC portal access current and check both files regularly.

Children Born Outside Canada After You Become a Citizen

If you have a child after you become a Canadian citizen, that child's citizenship status depends on where they are born:

• Born in Canada: Automatically Canadian citizen from birth, regardless of your own citizenship history
• Born outside Canada to a Canadian parent who was born in Canada: Automatically Canadian citizen (first generation abroad)
• Born outside Canada to a Canadian parent who was themselves born abroad: Subject to the new Bill C-3 "substantial connection" test if born on or after December 15, 2025

The Canada Citizenship Guide includes a complete family document checklist covering concurrent applications, what each child's file requires, and how to navigate the Bill C-3 descent rules for families with complex residence histories across generations.

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