Invalid proofs of Canadian citizenship
Some documents have information about your citizenship, but they don’t prove that you’re a Canadian citizen. These documents include
Citizenship record letters
If you apply for a search of citizenship records, the record letter you receive is not a valid proof of Canadian citizenship.
Commemorative certificates
The commemorative certificate that came with your citizenship card is not a valid proof of Canadian citizenship (even though it indicates the date on which you became a Canadian citizen).
Some birth certificates
Your Canadian birth certificate doesn’t prove your citizenship if when you were born:
- at least 1 of your parents
- worked for a foreign government or international organization and
- held diplomatic privileges and immunities
- and neither of your parents were a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
We also don’t accept DND 419 birth certificates as proof of citizenship.
If you need a proof of Canadian citizenship
If you’re a Canadian citizen who doesn’t have a valid proof of citizenship, you can apply for a citizenship certificate.