Find Canadian Ancestor Naturalization Records

Many people believe that, to qualify for Canadian citizenship by descent, their Canadian ancestor must have been born in Canada. What you may not know is that even if your ancestor was a foreign national who became naturalized in Canada, or a British subject who died before 1947, when Canada’s first Citizenship Act came into effect, you may still qualify for Canadian citizenship through them.

But how can you find proof of your ancestor’s naturalization?

1. My ancestor was naturalized between 1915 and 1951

The Canadian government published lists of people who were naturalized between 1915 and 1951. Library and Archives Canada maintains these historical lists, which include names and naturalization certificate numbers, but not the actual certificates.

You can search these records through Library and Archives Canada – Citizenship and Naturalization Records.

Keep in mind that an unsuccessful search does not necessarily mean your ancestor was never naturalized. For example, before 1932, some women and minor children acquired naturalization through their husbands or fathers and did not apply separately.

If you find your ancestor’s name on one of these lists, it is best to include additional supporting documents, as the published list is not considered a primary document under IRCC’s instructions.

2. My ancestor was naturalized before 1915

Before 1915, naturalization was generally handled locally through municipal, county, district, or provincial courts.

Historical records, such as naturalization applications, court minutes, oaths of allegiance, and certificates, may be preserved in provincial archives or regional historical archives.

You can begin your search by contacting the provincial archives in the province where your ancestor lived or was naturalized.

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3. Search for citizenship records directly through IRCC

You can also request a search of your ancestor’s citizenship or naturalization records directly from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This service covers records dating back to 1854.

For more information, visit IRCC – Search of Citizenship Records.

However, the process can be lengthy, with processing times currently estimated at approximately 18 months. For many citizenship-by-descent applicants who are already expecting a long wait for their proof of citizenship certificate, requesting a separate records search may not be an attractive option.

Keep in mind that IRCC may conduct its own internal research when reviewing a citizenship-by-descent application to verify the information you provide. Having accurate information and supporting documents from the beginning can help establish your ancestor’s citizenship history and support your claim, rather than raise additional questions about it.