15-Month Wait for Proof of Canadian Citizenship by Descent

Proof of Canadian citizenship by descent: processing times extend to 15 months as of June 2026

Immediate update and why it matters

As of June 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is estimating a 15-month processing time for applications for proof of Canadian citizenship by descent. This change follows a rapid surge of new applications after Canada removed the first-generation limit to citizenship by descent on December 15, 2025. If you qualify under the new rule and need a certificate to obtain a passport or exercise your Canadian rights, expect a substantially longer wait than a few months ago — and plan accordingly.

The legal change that set this in motion

On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3 removed the first-generation limit to citizenship by descent for those born before that date. Under the revised Citizenship Act, anyone born before December 15, 2025, who can trace a continuous line of descent from a Canadian ancestor is already considered a Canadian citizen. The current application process is not to acquire citizenship but to obtain documentary proof — the citizenship certificate — so applicants can request a Canadian passport and formally exercise rights and privileges attached to citizenship.

How the numbers have shifted since the reform

IRCC now reports roughly 82,000 citizenship-certificate applications in the queue (June 2026). A month earlier, on May 12, the queue was reported at 70,400 — an increase of about 11,600 applications in under 30 days. IRCC’s publicly reported processing-time estimate for routine certificates rose from 9 months to 15 months since the December 2025 eligibility expansion, and the application queue has more than doubled in size. These are the concrete figures shaping applicants’ expectations today.

How IRCC determines the published processing time

IRCC uses a forward-looking projection to calculate processing-time estimates. The department considers three main inputs:

How many applications are already in the queue;
How many staff are available to process applications;
How many new applications IRCC expects to receive going forward.

The official processing clock starts when IRCC receives a complete application. For online submissions, that is the moment you hit submit; for paper applications, it begins when the materials reach the IRCC mailroom. IRCC updates the published estimate monthly; it can move up or down depending on changes in the queue, staffing, and expected intake. Note that the method does not fully anticipate sharp spikes in new applications — a factor that has already affected this file.

What the 15-month figure represents for applicants

IRCC’s 15-month estimate applies to routine citizenship-certificate applications. Based on that timeline, an application received in June 2026 points to a decision around September 2027, according to the source calculation. However, that projection depends on the queue and staffing remaining roughly stable; given recent month-to-month increases in applications, the actual wait could extend further if the queue keeps growing.

Which applications can take longer than the published estimate

Not every case follows the “routine” pathway. IRCC may take longer than 15 months if a file becomes complex or non-routine. The source lists common triggers for longer processing times:

IRCC requests additional documents (for example, residence documentation);
The applicant misses a test, interview, or hearing;
There are criminal, security, or other admissibility concerns requiring extra review.

A complete, well-prepared application is the best protection against those additional delays. Conversely, incomplete or poorly documented files are more likely to fall outside the routine timetable.

Who is most affected by the backlog

The primary group affected are people who now qualify for Canadian citizenship by descent under the December 15, 2025 change — specifically those born before that date who can trace an unbroken descent from a Canadian ancestor. Many eligible applicants live entirely outside Canada, including U.S. citizens whose families have not lived in Canada for generations. For those people, the application is often about securing a second passport rather than relocating.

Secondary effects touch a range of people and decisions:

Those who need a passport quickly for travel or consular reasons;
Individuals planning employment or residency moves to Canada who require formal documents;
People seeking the security of dual citizenship during uncertain times;
Anyone whose file may present complexities prompting additional review.

Why so many people applied and what they gain

The surge in applications is an expected response to the reform: people who now meet the expanded eligibility are, in effect, claiming existing citizenship by requesting formal proof. The certificate allows applicants to:

Apply for a Canadian passport — a high-ranking travel document (ranked seventh globally in the source) that provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 countries;
Live and work anywhere in Canada;
Buy residential real estate in Canada;
Access publicly funded healthcare if they establish residence in Canada.

The source also notes an important tax-related point relevant to many U.S.-based applicants: Canada does not tax citizens on worldwide income in the same way the U.S. does, so obtaining proof of Canadian citizenship does not, by itself, create new worldwide income tax obligations under Canadian law. That factor makes holding a Canadian passport appealing as a “back-pocket” option without immediate tax consequences.

Practical consequences for applicants and timing strategies

A key practical implication is that waiting to apply now may not reduce your wait time. Because IRCC’s estimate is based on the queue and projected intake, delays have increased month over month since the Bill C-3 changes. The longer someone waits to file, the further back they will be placed in a growing queue. In other words, individuals who qualify and need proof of citizenship are likely better served by preparing and filing as soon as they can, rather than postponing in hopes of a shorter processing time.

At the same time, applicants should temper expectations: the 15-month estimate applies to routine applications only. If your case requires additional review or supplemental documents, plan for a longer timeline.

Steps applicants should prioritize now

Gathering the correct documents and submitting a complete application are the most important immediate actions. Based on the source, applicants should focus on:

Tracing your family tree and confirming continuous descent from a Canadian ancestor;
Collecting primary documents that demonstrate descent, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, baptismal records, and death certificates;
Preparing any other requested supporting papers (for example, residence documents) to avoid requests for further evidence;
Deciding on online versus mail submission — remember that processing starts on the day IRCC receives a complete application (online submission starts the clock at submit time; mailed applications start when they reach the mailroom).

Completeness and clarity in documentation reduce the likelihood of IRCC asking for more information and may help keep your application within the routine processing window.

Common pitfalls that trigger further review

Some circumstances commonly move files out of the routine queue:

Gaps or weak documentation in the descent chain;
Missing or inconsistent civil records (birth, marriage, death, baptismal records often used to bridge generational links);
Past criminal or admissibility issues that require background checks or additional legal review;
Failure to attend a required test, interview, or hearing.

If your file might involve any of these issues, expect a review that extends beyond the baseline estimate.

How the monthly refresh of processing times affects planning

IRCC refreshes its published estimates every month. While this means timelines can improve if the queue shrinks or staffing increases, historical data since the citizenship-law change shows steady monthly increases in wait times and queue size. The monthly refresh is therefore a useful barometer: applicants should monitor IRCC’s reported processing time each month to update expectations and travel or relocation plans accordingly. Keep in mind that sudden surges in applications are not fully anticipated by IRCC’s forward-looking model, so a spike in demand can drive estimates higher between refreshes.

Deciding whether to apply now or later — considerations

Based on current trends from IRCC’s numbers and the nature of the queue, the practical choice for most eligible applicants is to apply now if they want a certificate and passport within a reasonable timeframe. Reasons to apply sooner include:

Your position in the queue grows only larger the longer you wait;
A complete, timely application is less likely to be delayed by requests for additional documents;
Holding a certificate provides immediate options (passport, work, residence, property purchase) that many applicants value even without immediate plans to move.

However, applicants should not rush without adequate documentation. An incomplete submission can trigger delays that exceed the current 15-month routine estimate.

What to monitor after applying

After submission, applicants should:

Track IRCC’s monthly published processing-time estimate to stay informed;
Respond promptly to any IRCC request for additional information or documents;
Ensure any interviews, tests, or hearings are attended as scheduled;
Keep copies of all submitted documents and proof of submission or delivery (especially for mailed applications).

Prompt responses and good recordkeeping are simple but effective measures to avoid avoidable delays.

Numbers, dates and timelines to remember

Policy change date: December 15, 2025 (removal of first-generation limit to citizenship by descent);
IRCC queue size (June 2026): roughly 82,000 applications in line;
IRCC queue size (May 12, 2026): 70,400 applications (increase of ~11,600 in under a month);
Processing time for routine proof-of-citizenship applications (June 2026 estimate): 15 months;
Processing time before the reform: about 9 months (source indicates the jump from 9 to 15 months since December 2025);
Passport access benefit: Canadian passport ranks seventh worldwide with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 countries (as noted in source).

Final practical guidance

If you believe you qualify under the December 15, 2025 changes, start by documenting your family history and assembling primary records that establish an unbroken line of descent. Complete and careful submission is the single best way to stay within routine processing times. Given current queue dynamics, delaying your application will generally place you further back in a growing line and is unlikely to shorten your wait. If your situation may include complexity — missing documents, admissibility concerns, or required interviews — prepare extra time and attention for follow-up requests.

For personalized support with your Canadian immigration pathway, contact GTR Immigration. Call us: +1 855 477 9797

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