Fill Out IRCC Form CIT 0001 Online

What is Form CIT 0001 used for

The citizenship certificate is Canada's official proof of citizenship. It is not a travel document, but it is the document you typically need for a first adult passport application, for confirming citizenship acquired by descent, and for various legal and employment purposes.

Common situations include people born outside Canada to a Canadian parent who need to document their citizenship, naturalized citizens replacing an old or lost certificate, and people who are unsure of their status and want IRCC to assess it.

Who files Form CIT 0001

Anyone who is, or believes they may be, a Canadian citizen can apply, from inside or outside Canada. A parent or legal guardian applies on behalf of a child under 18.

• Citizens by descent, generally the first generation born abroad to a Canadian parent, use it to get their first certificate. The rules for citizenship by descent have been the subject of court decisions and legislative change, so check the current IRCC guidance or get advice if your claim goes beyond the first generation.
• Naturalized citizens use it to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged certificate, or to update their name.
• People with uncertain status can apply to have IRCC search and confirm whether they are citizens.

How to fill out Form CIT 0001

The form asks for your identity details, your citizenship history, and information about the Canadian parent if you claim citizenship by descent. Have your identity documents and any previous citizenship or immigration documents in front of you before you start.

• Open the form in the Universal PDF editor and type your answers into the official fields, then download the finished PDF.
• Use the exact names and dates shown on your birth and identity documents, since mismatches cause delays.
• For claims through a Canadian parent, complete the parent sections fully and gather proof of the parent's citizenship, such as their certificate or Canadian birth record.
• Print the completed form, sign and date it, and assemble it with the items on the document checklist.
• Download the current application package from the IRCC website before filing, because IRCC updates its forms and can return outdated versions.

Filing tips

The instruction guide includes a document checklist and the correct mailing address for applicants inside and outside Canada. IRCC also offers an online application option for many proof of citizenship applicants, and has been issuing electronic certificates in many cases, so review the current options on the IRCC site before choosing the paper route.

• Check the current fee on the IRCC fee list and pay it as the guide instructs, keeping the receipt.
• Include photos that meet the citizenship photo specifications if the checklist requires them for your situation.
• If you need the certificate urgently, for example for a job or travel document, the guide explains how to request urgent processing with supporting evidence.
• If your case involves complex descent rules or lost status, a citizenship lawyer or licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) can assess it before you file.