IRCC Form CIT 0003: Fillable PDF

What is Form CIT 0003 used for

This form asks IRCC to grant Canadian citizenship to a minor child. It collects the child's personal and immigration details, information about the parents or guardians, and the consents and signatures IRCC requires when an adult applies on a child's behalf.

The subsection 5(2) route is generally simpler than the adult route. Minors applying under it do not sit a knowledge test, do not need to prove language ability, and are not subject to the adult physical presence requirement.

Who files Form CIT 0003

A parent, adoptive parent, or legal guardian normally completes and submits the application on the child's behalf. The child is the applicant.

• The child must be a permanent resident of Canada and under 18 when the application is received.
• At least one parent must be a Canadian citizen, be applying for citizenship at the same time as the child, or have been a citizen when the parent died.
• Children aged 14 or older usually sign the application along with the parent or guardian.
• Where parents are separated or divorced, custody documents may be required, so review the checklist before filing.

How to fill out Form CIT 0003

Answer from the child's perspective for the applicant sections, then complete the parent and guardian sections with your own information. The instruction guide explains which documents prove the parent's citizenship and the relationship to the child.

• Download the latest version of CIT 0003 from the IRCC forms page, since older versions can be returned unprocessed.
• Open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader on a computer so the dynamic fields display and validate properly.
• Enter the child's name exactly as it appears on their immigration and identity documents to avoid processing delays.
• Complete every question, and follow the guide on how to mark questions that do not apply.
• If custody is disputed or the family situation is complex, a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or a lawyer can help you file correctly.

Filing tips

The application package includes an instruction guide and a document checklist. Follow both closely, since IRCC returns incomplete packages rather than asking for missing items in most cases.

• Include proof of the parent's Canadian citizenship, or file the child's application together with the parent's adult application if the parent is applying at the same time.
• Check the current fee on the IRCC fee list before paying, and keep the payment receipt with the package.
• Include photos that meet the citizenship photo specifications if the checklist requires them.
• Keep a complete copy of the application and send it by a trackable method.