New Electronic Certificates Now Offered by Canada

As of January 4, 2023, Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is offering electronic Canadian citizenship certificates (e-certificate) as an alternative to paper versions.  The new e-certificates are electronic versions of the current paper certificates and are not considered travel documents. In order to travel, applicants must still obtain a valid passport to travel with. E-certificates may be used to obtain a Canadian passport.

Applications Prior to January 4, 2023

 For individuals who applied for a Canadian citizenship certificate before January 4, 2023, they must be offered the option of obtaining a paper certificate or e-certificate. If the applicant is offered the e-certificate option, they will:

  • receive an invitation by email
  • accept or decline the invitation
    • If the invitation is accepted, follow the email’s instructions for your next steps.
    • If the invitation is declined, you’ll get a paper certificate  (if we approve your application).

Applicants who filed before January 4, 2023, will ONLY receive an e-certificate if

  •   you accept the invitation
  •   you meet the application requirements
  •   we approve your application

Eligibility for Applications Filed After January 4, 2023

Individuals who file an application for a Canadian certificate are eligible for an e-certificate so long as they:

  • apply for a Canadian Citizen certificate;
  • apply to resume their Canadian Citizenship, or;
  • are a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and apply to resume their Canadian Citizenship after giving it up

Contents of Information on the Electronic Canadian Certificate include:

  • a certificate number that starts with an X;
  • the citizen’s unique client identifier (UCI);
  • their family name and given name;
  • the citizen’s date of birth;
  • the citizen’s gender, and;
  • the effective date of citizenship.

How to Access Electronic Certificate

Once the applicant’s citizenship is successful, they are sent a letter with download instructions through e-mail or through their IRCC secure account. When an e-mail is sent out, it is sent to the applicant’s e-mail or to their representative.

Applicants can be downloading the e-certificate through their IRCC account, or print it. Those who wish to print out their electronic citizenship certificates are advised by the federal government to print them on 8.5 by 11-inch white paper in both colour and black ink and to print on both sides of the page with the printer layout set for portrait orientation. This ensures that the information on the printed certificate is legible to read and fully visible.

IRCC has provided a support email for anyone having technical issues at IRCC.ECertificatePilot-PiloteCertificatE.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.

Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

As a Canadian citizen, there are many benefits available and some of them include:

  • Vote In Elections
  • Travel With a Canadian Passport and have the support of the Canadian consulate or embassy
  • Vote in federal, provincial and municipal elections
  • Run for office and become involved in politics
  • Apply for jobs requiring high clearance

Many Canadians also have dual or even triple citizenship because have Canada does not make its citizens choose between being a Canadian citizen and being a citizen of another country. In addition,

all children born to a Canadian citizen parent(s) automatically become Canadian citizens. They will not have to go through any application process. Some children born outside Canada are also citizens at birth if at least one parent was born or naturalized in Canada.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact us via email at info@poonahimmigrationlaw.com for further information.