Canadian Citizenship by Descent

On December 15, 2025, Canada introduced major changes to citizenship law through Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025).

Previously, citizenship by descent was generally limited to the first generation born outside Canada. In practical terms, this meant that if your Canadian parent was also born abroad, citizenship could not be passed further.

This restriction has now been removed for many individuals.

As a result, citizenship may extend beyond the first generation, including through parents, grandparents, and in some cases earlier generations, provided the legal requirements are met and the family lineage can be established.

At Aeloria, we help assess eligibility and prepare proof of Canadian citizenship applications for individuals and families with Canadian lineage.

The key change is the removal of the strict first-generation limit for individuals already born.

This means:

Citizenship is no longer automatically cut off after one generation born outside Canada
Individuals with a Canadian grandparent, or sometimes earlier ancestry, may now qualify
Many people previously excluded under older rules may now be recognized as citizens
Where eligibility is established, citizenship is recognized as existing from birth. The process is therefore one of confirmation, not acquisition.

A successful application depends on a clear and complete documentary record.

This usually includes:

Birth certificates for each generation
Marriage or name change records
Proof of the Canadian status of the ancestor
Supporting records from Canadian and foreign authorities

In many cases, records must be obtained from multiple jurisdictions, including Quebec civil registries, federal and provincial archives.

Citizenship by descent cases often require reviewing family history and records that span several generations and jurisdictions. At Aeloria, we provide a structured, turnkey service to prepare a clear proof of Canadian citizenship application.

Legal analysis and application

Eligibility assessment under the Citizenship Act
Review of your lineage across generations
Identification and legal review of supporting documents (English and French)
Preparation and submission of a Proof of Canadian Citizenship application
File monitoring and follow-up with IRCC until decision

Genealogical and documentary research

Genealogical research to establish the chain of citizenship
Identification and retrieval of civil records (birth, marriage, citizenship)
Research in Quebec civil registries and parish archives, where applicable
Verification of consistency across names, dates, and locations

Our goal is to present a clear, well-documented file supported by official records, so your application can be assessed efficiently and accurately.

A consultation will determine whether citizenship by descent applies to your situation. We will review your family history, assess your eligibility, and outline the next steps.