Can an Adopted Person Get Canadian Citizenship Through a Canadian Parent Born Abroad?

Under the Canadian Citizenship Act, adopted children follow a different pathway to citizenship than biological children.

However, on December 15, 2025, new amendments to the Citizenship Act removed the first-generation limit for Canadian parents born abroad. As a result, many adoptees who were previously ineligible may now qualify for Canadian citizenship.

Can an Adopted Person Get Canadian Citizenship?

Adopted children may be eligible for Canadian citizenship if at least one of their adoptive parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of adoption.

However, as mentioned, the pathway to citizenship is different. Adopted children must apply for a grant of citizenship rather than proof of citizenship, as biological children generally do. (See our article on the difference between a grant of citizenship and proof of citizenship.)

Does the Date of Adoption Change the Rules?

For people adopted on or after December 15, 2025, the Canadian parent must have spent at least 1,095 days physically present in Canada. These days do not need to be consecutive and can be accumulated over different periods of time.There are also exceptions for certain Canadian Crown servants and their families.

What if I Am an Adult Now or Was Adopted as an Adult?

If you were adopted many years ago and are now an adult, you may still be eligible for a grant of Canadian citizenship.

If you were adopted after turning 18, a genuine parent-child relationship must have existed before you turned 18, even if the legal adoption took place years later.

What if My Biological Parent or Ancestor Is Canadian?

You may be eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent. However, one challenge may be obtaining your original sealed birth certificate to establish your relationship with your biological parent.

In this case, you can apply directly for a proof of citizenship certificate rather than a grant of citizenship.

How Do I Apply for Citizenship Through Adoption?

The application process has two steps.

Step 1: You must first apply to confirm that your adoptive parent or parents were Canadian citizens.

Step 2: Once IRCC approves Part 1, you can submit the adopted person’s application. IRCC will assess the adoption and determine whether to grant Canadian citizenship.

You can find more information about the application process on the official IRCC website:

Application for Canadian Citizenship – Adopted Person – Canada.ca

Conclusion

Adopted persons may qualify for Canadian citizenship even if their Canadian adoptive parent was born abroad. The rules depend on when the adoption took place, how the adoptive parent obtained Canadian citizenship, and whether the legal requirements are met. The changes introduced on December 15, 2025, have opened new opportunities for many adoptees who were previously ineligible.