Application for Canadian Citizenship - Adopted person

This application includes the following items:

Part 1: Confirmation of Canadian citizenship of the adoptive parent(s)

• Document Checklist (CIT 0484) (opens in new tab) 
• Confirmation of Canadian Citizenship of the Adoptive Parent(s) (CIT 0010) (opens in new tab) 
  • Use a version of application form dated October 2017 or later.

    Application form date

    We only accept application forms dated October 2017 or later.

    You can find the date in the bottom left corner of the form.

    • The date you sign or mail your form does not change the version date.

    If you submit your application with a form that’s older than October 2017

    • we’ll return your application
    • you need to resubmit your application with the latest version of the form

    If you submitted your application with a form dated October 2017 or later, but we returned it as incomplete

    • get the missing information or document
    • resubmit your application with the same form (you don’t have to use the latest version)
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) (opens in new tab) 
• Instruction Guide (CIT 0009)

Optional:

• Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002) (opens in new tab) 
• How to calculate physical presence in Canada for a Canadian parent (CIT 0555) (opens in new tab) 

Part 2: Adoptee’s application

• Document Checklist (CIT 0485) (opens in new tab) 
• Adoptee’s Application (CIT 0012) (opens in new tab) 
  • Use a version of application form dated October 2017 or later.
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) (opens in new tab) 
• Citizenship application photograph specifications
• Instruction Guide (CIT 0014)

Note: As of May 1st 2025, clients are no longer required to complete and submit the Canadian Citizenship Certificate Preparation form (CIT 0480). Clients are still required to submit two photos with the part 2 application.

Optional:

• Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002) (opens in new tab) 

This application is for people applying for a direct grant of citizenship under the adoption provisions of the Citizenship Act who were or will be adopted by a Canadian citizen. For adoptions that took place prior to January 1, 1947, the person had to have at least one adoptive parent who became a Canadian citizen on January 1, 1947 (or April 1, 1949, in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador for adoptions that took place prior to April 1, 1949).

The adopted person:

• must not be a Canadian citizen, and
• must have at least one (1) adoptive parent who, at the time of their adoption, was or is a Canadian citizen, or for adoptions that took place prior to January 1, 1947, the person had to have at least one adoptive parent who became a Canadian citizen on January 1, 1947 (or April 1, 1949, in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador for adoptions that took place prior to April 1, 1949),
• not be subject to the first generation limit to citizenship by descent (unless eligible to benefit from one of the exceptions to the first generation limit), and
• meet the requirements of the Citizenship Act.

The first generation limit to Canadian citizenship by descent applies to foreign-born individuals adopted by a person who was a Canadian citizen at the time of the adoption, as well as to those whose adoption took place prior to January 1, 1947, by a person who became a Canadian citizen on January 1, 1947 (or April 1, 1949, in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador for adoptions that took place prior to April 1, 1949). This means that children born outside Canada and adopted by a Canadian citizen are not eligible for a grant of Canadian citizenship under section 5.1, the adoption provisions of the Citizenship Act, if:

• their adoptive Canadian citizen parent was born outside Canada to a Canadian citizen; or
• their adoptive Canadian citizen parent was granted Canadian citizenship under section 5.1, the adoption provisions of the Citizenship Act

unless their adoptive Canadian citizen parent or grandparent was employed as described in one of the following exceptions to the first generation limit:

• at the time of the person’s adoption, either of the person’s adoptive parents was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province or territory, other than as a locally engaged person (a Crown servant);
• at the time of either of the adoptive parents’ birth or adoption, one of their parents (the adopted person’s grandparents) was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province or territory, other than as a locally engaged person (a Crown Servant).

The category of adopted persons includes:

• adopted persons who are minors (under 18 years of age) at the time of application
• persons who were adopted as minors but are adults (18 years of age or older) at the time of application, and
• persons who were or will be adopted as adults.