Information on Canadian Citizenship by Descent

Important — The following rules apply to Individuals Born Before 15 December 2025

If you are a U.S. citizen — or a citizen of any other country — with Canadian parents, grandparents, or earlier Canadian ancestors and you were born outside Canada before 15 December 2025, you may now be eligible to obtain Canadian citizenship. Thanks to recent and historic changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act, the path to citizenship by descent has been significantly broadened, and Larochelle Avocats is here to help you every step of the way.

What Changed? Understanding the New Law

For many years, Canadian citizenship law imposed a strict “first-generation limit.” Only the first generation born abroad to a Canadian parent could claim citizenship by descent; grandchildren of Canadians were generally excluded.

Parliament addressed this by passing the An Act to amend the Citizenship Act, S.C. 2025, c. 5 (commonly called Bill C-71 ), which received Royal Assent on 20 November 2025 and largely took effect on 15 December 2025 .

The amendments do two things:

1. They create a new “substantial connection to Canada” test for children born outside Canada on or after 15 December 2025 who are beyond the first generation; this test is not required for those born earlier.
2. They provide generous new rules for people born before 15 December 2025 who would have been citizens but for the former first-generation limit or earlier “retention” provisions. Many such individuals are now deemed citizens automatically, while others can regain or confirm citizenship through an application process without showing a substantial connection.

Who Is Eligible If You Were Born Before 15 December 2025?

You may already be — or may now become — a Canadian citizen if you satisfy any of the following scenarios:

• You were born outside Canada before 15 December 2025 to a parent who was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth. The former first-generation limit or “retention” rules prevented you from acquiring or keeping citizenship, but the 2025 amendments now deem you a citizen or allow you to reclaim that status.
• You previously lost or were denied Canadian citizenship because of outdated legal provisions, including distinctions based on gender, marital status, or the former requirement to apply to retain citizenship before age 28.
• You were adopted outside Canada before 15 December 2025 by at least one Canadian citizen and meet the revised adoption-related criteria.

How Does the Application Process Work?

Applying for Canadian citizenship by descent under the new rules involves several key steps. First, you must gather documentary evidence of your family connection to Canada. This may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, Canadian passports, immigration records, and other documents establishing your lineage and your ancestor’s ties to Canada. Second, you must complete the appropriate citizenship application forms issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Third, you must submit your application along with all supporting documentation and applicable fees. Processing times vary.

At Larochelle Avocats, we understand that navigating this process can be daunting — especially from outside Canada. That is why we offer a full-service citizenship application package that includes an initial eligibility assessment to determine whether you qualify under the  rules, assistance gathering and organizing the required documentation, preparation and review of your application to ensure completeness and accuracy, submission of your application on your behalf, and ongoing communication with IRCC throughout the processing period.

Why Work with Larochelle Avocats?

As a Canadian law firm with expertise in citizenship and immigration matters, we are uniquely positioned to guide you through this process. We understand both the legal framework and the practical realities of dealing with Canadian government agencies. Our team communicates in both English and French, and we are experienced in serving clients located in the United States and internationally.

Canadian citizenship offers significant advantages, including the right to live and work anywhere in Canada, access to Canadian healthcare and social services, the ability to pass citizenship on to your own children, and visa-free or facilitated travel to many countries around the world. For U.S. citizens, holding dual Canadian-American citizenship is fully permitted under the laws of both countries.

GET STARTED TODAY

If you believe you may be eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent, we encourage you to contact us for a consultation. Our team will review your family history and documentation, assess your eligibility under the current rules, and outline a clear path forward. There is no obligation, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Contact Larochelle Avocats to begin your journey toward Canadian citizenship.