Guide CIT 0496 - Application to renounce Canadian citizenship – R7.1 (for certain persons who acquired citizenship under amendments to the Citizenship Act in 2009 or 2015)

Table of Contents

Overview

Application package

This application package has:

  • an instruction guide, and
  • the forms you need to fill out.

The instruction guide:

  • has information you must know before you submit your application and
  • explains how to fill out the forms and gather your supporting documents.

Read the instruction guide completely and then fill out each of the applicable forms.

The forms are designed with questions that will help the processing of your application.

Symbols used in this guide

This guide uses these symbols to draw your attention to important information:

Required step

What you must do to have your application processed.

Important information

Important information that you need to know to avoid delays or other problems.

Get more information

Where to get more information.

Note:

Tips that will help you with this application.

Before you apply

What happens if I renounce my Canadian citizenship?

If you renounce your Canadian citizenship, you lose all the rights and privileges of being a Canadian citizen and will have no status in Canada. This means that if you wish to return to Canada permanently, you will have to apply for a permanent resident visa. If you wish to return to Canada temporarily, (i.e., to visit, work or study) you will have to apply for a temporary resident visa, if applicable.

You must return any Canadian citizenship certificates in your possession. For further inquiries, see the “How to Contact CIC” section at the end of this guide.

Who may use this application?

This application is for a person who automatically acquired Canadian citizenship due to amendments to the Citizenship Act in 2009 or 2015, and who wishes to renounce his or her Canadian citizenship under section 7.1 of the Citizenship Regulations.

Note: If you did not acquire Canadian citizenship automatically in 2009 or 2015, you must complete the Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship under Subsection 9(1).

To know more about who became or did not become a citizen automatically in 2009 or 2015 consult the page on Changes to citizenship rules in 2009 or 2015.

Note: Persons who are Canadian citizens under paragraph 3(1)(b) as a result of the 2009 amendments are not eligible to renounce under section 7.1.

Assessing your eligibility

To renounce your Canadian citizenship using this application you must:

  • have acquired Canadian citizenship automatically in 2009 or 2015 under one of the paragraphs of the Citizenship Act listed below,
  • be a citizen of another country or, if the application is approved, will become a citizen of another country, and
  • not be prevented from understanding the significance of renouncing citizenship by reason of a mental disability.

The following will help you to determine under which paragraph you are a citizen and the documents required to renounce your citizenship.

Under the Citizenship Act, a person is a Canadian citizen as a result of the 2009 or 2015 amendments, if he or she:

Under 3(1)(b):
  • was born outside Canada after February 14, 1977 to a parent born before January 1, 1947 (or April 1, 1949 in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador) who, as a result of legislative amendments to the Citizenship Act on June 11, 2015, is a citizen under one of paragraphs 3(1)(k) to (n) (see below); and
  • had, before June 11, 2015, never been a citizen.

Refer to scenario 1 or 2 in the checklist for required documents.

Under 3(1)(f):
  • was formerly a citizen;
  • ceased to be a citizen for any reason other than:
    • renunciation of citizenship under specific provisions of the 1947 Canadian Citizenship Act or renunciation under the 1977 Citizenship Act;
    • revocation of citizenship under specific provisions of the 1947 Act or revocation under the 1977 Act; or
    • failure to retain citizenship under the 1977 Act.
    • has not resumed citizenship since its loss.

Refer to scenario 1 or 3 in the checklist for required documents.

Under 3(1)(g):
  • was born outside Canada in the first generation between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977, inclusive;
  • acquired citizenship automatically as a result of legislative amendments to the Citizenship Act on April 17, 2009 or June 11, 2015;
  • at the time of the birth, one of their parents was a Canadian citizen (or parent acquired Canadian citizenship automatically as a result of legislative amendments to the Citizenship Act on April 17, 2009 or June 11, 2015; and
  • had, before acquiring citizenship automatically as a result of legislative amendments to the Citizenship Act on April 17, 2009 or June 11, 2015, never been a citizen by way of grant before these dates.

Refer to scenario 5 in the checklist for required documents.

Under 3(1)(k):

  • was, before January 1, 1947, born or naturalized in Canada;
  • ceased to be a British subject before that date;
  • did not become a citizen on January 1, 1947; and
  • you had, before June 11,2015, never been a citizen.

Refer to scenario 5 in the checklist for required documents.

Under 3(1)(l):
  • was, before April 1, 1949, born or naturalized in Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • ceased to be a British subject before that date;
  • did not become a citizen on or before April 1, 1949; and
  • you had, before June 11, 2015, never been a citizen.

Refer to scenario 5 in the checklist for required documents.

Under 3(1)(m):
  • was, on January 1, 1947, a British subject neither born nor naturalized in Canada;
  • was ordinarily resident in Canada on that date;
  • did not become a citizen on January 1, 1947; and
  • you had, before June 11, 2015, never been a citizen.

Refer to scenario 6 in the checklist for required documents.

Under 3(1)(n):
  • was, on April 1, 1949, a British subject neither born nor naturalized in Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • was ordinarily resident there on that date;
  • did not become a citizen on or before April 1, 1949; and
  • you had, before June 11, 2015, never been a citizen.

Refer to scenario 6 in the checklist for required documents.

Under 3(1)(o):

  • was born outside Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador before January 1, 1947 to a parent who became a citizen as a result of legislative amendments to the Citizenship Act on June 11, 2015 and is a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(k) or (m);
  • did not become a citizen on January 1, 1947; and
  • you had, before June 11, 2015, never been a citizen.

Refer to scenario 7 in the checklist for required documents.

Under 3(1)(p):

  • was born outside Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador before April 1, 1949 to a parent who became a citizen as a result of legislative amendments to the Citizenship Act on June 11, 2015 and is a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(l) or (n);
  • did not become a citizen on or before April 1, 1949; and
  • you had, before June 11, 2015, never been a citizen.

Refer to scenario 7 in the checklist for required documents.

Under 3(1)(q):
  • was born outside Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador before January 1, 1947 in the first generation to a parent who became a citizen on January 1, 1947 under the Canadian Citizenship Act ;
  • did not become a citizen on January 1, 1947; and
  • you had, before June 11, 2015, never been a citizen.

Refer to scenario 8 in the checklist for required documents.

Under 3(1)(r):
  • was born outside Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador before April 1, 1949 in the first generation to a parent who became a citizen on April 1, 1949 under the Canadian Citizenship Act;
  • did not become a citizen on or before April 1, 1949; and
  • you had, before June 11, 2015, never been a citizen.

Refer to scenario 8 in the checklist for required documents.

Step 1. Gather documents

What documents are required?

Refer to the Document Checklist (CIT 0501) for the list of the required documents.

Note: If any of the required documents are missing, or photocopies are not clear, your application may be returned to you.

Note: Additional documents will be required during the processing of your application.

Name change

Consult the information below to determine the documents that are to be included with your application.

If you have legally changed your name within Canada

Then you must submit a copy of the change of name document issued by a Canadian province or territory, or by the appropriate foreign-state authority. The document must show both your previous and amended names.

The following documents are accepted:

  • Legal change of name document
  • Court order specifying name change
  • Adoption order

The following documents are accepted for changes to family name only:

  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree
  • Registration or declaration of union issued by civil authorities
  • Revocation of declaration or annulment of union issued by civil authorities
  • Registration for common-law relationship, in provinces that permit changes of name for common-law relationships under their provincial/territorial law

If you have legally changed your name outside Canada and are residing in Canada

Then you must provide a copy of the following documents:

  • A foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation amended to reflect the new name;
  • A document that links your previous name to your new name, such as a foreign marriage certificate (with an official translation); and
  • A document in the new name from Canadian provinces or territories (ex. driver's license, health card, age of majority card, senior citizen’s identification card, or social service card)

If you have legally changed your name outside Canada and are residing outside Canada

Then you must provide a copy of the following documents:

  • a foreign passport or other national authoritative documentation amended to reflect the new name;
  • a document that links your previous name to your new name, such as a foreign marriage certificate (with an official translation) or other foreign legal change of name document issued by foreign authorities; and
  • an authoritative national or state/province (or equivalent) issued photo identification document issued in the country or state/province in which you reside that displays the new name, such as:
    • a foreign passport or other travel documents, if you are a dual citizen;
    • a state/provincial (or equivalent) identification card.

If you have applied and obtained an amendment to your Record of Landing, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence due to errors made by Canadian immigration officials when recording your name, then you must submit a copy of the amendment or a letter confirming the change of name.

Important information: Once processing of your application has begun a name change can only be made due to an administrative error made by the Department, or a legal change of name.

Important information: You cannot request a change of the adopted person’s name after Part 2 of the application has been submitted.
If satisfactory documentation is not provided with the application to support the request for a change of name, the name that appears on the citizenship certificate will be the name listed on the adoption order.

Changing sex designation

If you are requesting a change of sex designation, you are required to submit documentary evidence to support the request. See below the options for documentary evidence you may submit.

Documentary evidence issued in Canada

To request a change of sex designation where the documentary evidence originates in Canada, you are required to submit one of the following:

  • a legal order issued by a Canadian provincial/territorial vital statistics organization indicating a change of sex designation;
  • a court order;
  • an amended birth certificate indicating a change of sex designation; or
  • proof of full or partial sex reassignment surgery.

Please consult your provincial/territorial website in order to verify whether you are eligible for any of the documents listed above.

If you have applied and obtained an amendment to your Record of Landing, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence due to errors made by Canadian immigration officials when recording your sex, then you must submit a copy of the amendment or a letter confirming the change of sex.

Note: Your provincial/territorial identification (such as a driver’s license) alone will not be accepted in order to process a change of sex designation. You will need to submit one of the documents listed above, or a statutory declaration and a letter from a physician or psychologist as listed below.

If you are unable to obtain any of the documentary evidence listed above, you will be required to submit:

Note: If you do not provide a reason for which a provincial/territorial document was not submitted, your application will be returned as incomplete.

Inside Canada, the statutory declaration will need to be sworn in the presence of:

  • a notary public,
  • a commissioner of oaths, or
  • a commissioner of taking affidavits.

Documentary evidence issued outside Canada

Where the documentary evidence is issued outside Canada, you are required to submit the following:

  • photo identification issued by the national, state/provincial (or equivalent) authority in which you reside, indicating the amended sex designation (such as a driver’s license or national ID card);

    and one of the following sets of documents:

    • if you are a dual Canadian citizen, a copy of your foreign passport or other national authoritative document indicating the requested sex designation; or
    • a document indicating a change of sex designation (such as a legal order issued by a vital statistics agency or an amended birth certificate); or
    • a Statutory Declaration – Request for a Change of Sex Designation (CIT 0404) stating that your gender identity corresponds with the requested change in sex designation, that you are living full-time in that gender, and the reason for which a provincial/territorial document was not submitted (see requirements for witnesses below); and
    • a Support for a change of sex designation on an IRCC document (CIT 0552) from an authorized physician or psychologist stating that:
      • they are a practicing member in good standing with the appropriate regulatory body;
      • they have treated or evaluated you; and
      • they confirm that your gender identity does not correspond with the sex designation as recorded by IRCC.

Note: If you do not provide a reason for which a provincial/territorial document was submitted, your application will be returned as incomplete.

Note: If you are unable to provide photo identification in the updated sex designation, please include an explanation why and provide photo identification in the previous sex designation. We will contact you if anything further is required.

Outside Canada, the statutory declaration will need to be sworn in the presence of:

  • a notary public.

Quebec government documents

The following documents issued by the government of Quebec before January 1, 1994 are not acceptable documents in support of an application for a citizenship certificate.

  • baptismal certificates
  • birth certificates, and
  • marriage certificates.

For more information. If you are currently in possession of one of these certificates you must obtain a new document by contacting the office of the Directeur de l’état civil du Québec

Exception to citizenship by birth in Canada

A child born in Canada to a foreign diplomat, a representative or employee in Canada of a foreign government, a foreign diplomat’s, representative’s or employee’s employee or an officer or employee of a specialized agency of the United Nations or another international organization who is granted diplomatic privileges or immunities is not Canadian at birth unless the other parent was a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at the time of the child’s birth.

Certified true copies

To have a photocopy of a document certified, an authorized person must compare the original document to the photocopy and must print the following on the photocopy:

  • “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document”,
  • the name of the original document,
  • the date of the certification,
  • his or her name,
  • his or her official position or title, and
  • his or her signature.

Who can certify copies?

Persons authorized to certify copies include the following:

In Canada:

  • a notary public
  • a commissioner of oaths
  • a commissioner of taking affidavits

Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Consult your local provincial or territorial authorities.

Outside Canada:

  • a notary public

Authority to certify international documents varies by country. Consult your local authorities.

Family members may not certify copies of your documents. Family member is defined as being a: parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew and first cousin.

Translation of documents

Any document that is not in English or French must be accompanied by:

  • the English or French translation; and
  • an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
  • a certified copy of the original document.

Translations may be done by a person who is fluent in both languages (English or French and the unofficial language). If the translation is not provided by a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada, the translation must be accompanied by an affidavit swearing to the accuracy of the translation and the language proficiency of the translator.

The affidavit must be sworn in the presence of:

In Canada:

  • a notary public
  • a commissioner of oaths
  • a commissioner of taking affidavits

Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Consult your local provincial or territorial authorities.

Outside of Canada:

  • a notary public

Authority to administer oaths varies by country. Consult your local authorities.

Important information: Translations must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by members of the applicant’s family. Family member is defined as being a: parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew and first cousin.

Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document. Translators who are certified members in good standing of one of the provincial or territorial organizations of translators and interpreters of Canada do not need to supply an affidavit.


Note

Photographs

You must:

  • provide one (1) citizenship photograph;
  • print the Citizenship Photo Specifications page and take it to the photographer to make sure you get the correct size photo;
  • follow the steps explained on the form; and
  • not staple, glue or otherwise attach the photo directly to the application.

Step 2. Complete the application

Filling out the application

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to complete the application form.

The following are the forms that must be filled out and submitted:

Optional:

Note: It is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on these forms. The information you provide on your application may be subject to verification.


Important information

Be complete and accurate

Complete all sections. If a section does not apply to you, write “Not Applicable” or “NA”. If your application is incomplete it may be returned to you and this will delay the processing of your application.

If you need more space for any section, print out an additional page containing the appropriate section, complete it and submit it along with your application.

Section 1

Question 1
Indicate whether you would like service in English or French.

Section 2

Question 2

Check the box to indicate if you ever had a certificate of Canadian citizenship or naturalization. If yes, write your certificate number (if you have one).

Note: You must return any Canadian citizenship certificates in your possession. Failure to do so will result in delays in processing your application.

Section 3

Question 3A

Write down your last name (surname/family name) and given name(s).

Question 3B

If you have used other names in the past, or are known by a name other than the one you listed above, write them in the space provided.

Other names can include your:

  • birth name,
  • nicknames,
  • community names, etc.

Note: You can use a separate piece of paper if required.

Section 4

Question 4A
Write your date of birth exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or citizenship certificate. Indicate the place and country where you were born.
Question 4B
Check the box to indicate whether you are a male or female. Include your height, the colour of your eyes, and your legal marital status.

Section 5

Question 5A
Provide your current home address including your postal code.
Question 5B
If your mailing address is different from your home address, include your mailing address with your postal code.

If the mailing address is that of a representative, you must indicate their mailing address(es) in this section and complete the IMM 5476 form.

Question 5C
List the phone number(s) and email where you can be reached.

If the email address is that of a representative, you must indicate their e-mail address in this section and complete the IMM 5476 form.

If applicable, write your e-mail address using a format similar to the following: name@provider.net

Note: By indicating your e-mail address, you are hereby authorizing CIC to transmit all correspondence, including your file and personal information to this specific e-mail address.

Section 6

Question 6A

Check the box to indicate if you are a citizen or a national of a country other than Canada. If yes, indicate the name of the country.

If no, and you are not a citizen of another country, write the name of the country of which you will become a citizen if your application to renounce Canadian citizenship is approved. Attach proof.

Question 6B
Indicate the reason(s) you wish to renounce your Canadian citizenship.

Section 7

If you are a woman and married before January 1, 1947:

  • Write your husband’s surname/last name, given name(s), country and date of birth.
  • Write the country in which you were married and the date of your marriage.
  • Check the box to indicate if your husband is a Canadian citizen. If yes, check the box to indicate if it was by “birth” or “other”. If you select “other”, provide the details.
  • If your husband has a citizenship certificate, write the certificate number and the date he acquired citizenship.

Section 8

You must indicate if you left Canada for 1 year or longer before 1977. If yes, provide the dates you were away, the country of destination and the reason you went to that country.

Section 9

Check the box to indicate if you have ever lived in Canada. If yes, indicate either since birth or the date you first entered to live.

Section 10

  • Check the box to indicate the relationship of your parents to you by selecting Natural or Adoptive.
  • Print your parents surname/last name, other names used, given name(s), date of birth and country of birth.
  • Indicate where your parents were married (if applicable), and the date of the marriage.
  • Indicate how your parents obtained Canadian citizenship.
  • Check the box to indicate whether your parents left Canada for more than one (1) year before 1977. If yes, provide the dates they were away and the country they visited.
  • Check the box to indicate if your parents are or were citizens of a country other than Canada. If yes, provide the details including the country, date and how the citizenship was obtained.
  • Check the box to indicate if at the time of your birth, your parents were employed in Canada by a foreign government or international agency. If yes, provide details.
  • If your parents were born in Canada, check the box to indicate if one of your grandparents was employed by a foreign government or international agency. If yes, provide details.

Section 11

If you appoint an individual, firm or organization as your representative, you must complete the Use of a Representative Form (IMM 5476). Note that once you appoint a representative, all correspondence from CIC regarding your application will be directed to them and not to you.

For instructions on completing the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476), see: Guide 5561 – Instructions – Use of a Representative.

Section 12

Make sure to read the declaration. Then sign the application with the signature you currently use on other official documents and include the place and date.

Note: Your application will be returned to you if:

  • You have appointed an individual, firm or organization as your representative and did not submit the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476) with your application or this form was submitted incomplete.
  • You appoint a compensated representative who is not a member of the following designated bodies:
    • Immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC);
    • Lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society and students-at-law under their supervision; or
    • Notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaries du Québec and students-at-law under their supervision.

Step 3. Fees

There is no fee for this application.

Step 4. Mail the application

Where to mail the application

For applicants living inside Canada and the United States

Mail your completed application in a stamped envelope to the address shown below:

Affix sufficient postage (top right of the envelope)
Sender (top left of the envelope)
(Your name)
(Your Address)
(Your Postal Code)
Recipient (centre of the envelope)
Case Processing Centre – Sydney
Renunciation (R7.1)
P.O. Box 12000
Sydney, NS  B1P 7C2
Canada

Or

For applicants living outside Canada and the United States

Once you have completed all the sections of your application and gathered all required documents and photo, submit your application to the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate closest to your home.

If you are sending more than one application

If you are sending more than one application (for example, applications for family members), send all applications together in one envelope so that they will be processed together.


Note

Reminders…

  • The application must be signed and dated before it is mailed. If your application is not signed and dated, it will be returned to you.
  • Your application will also be returned to you if it is stale-dated (dated more than 90 days before CIC receives it) or it is post-dated (dated after you mailed it).
  • Make sure to use the Document checklist (CIT 0501) and include it and all required documents and photograph with your application.
  • If you have appointed someone to act as your representative, you have included the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476).

What happens next?

  • Once your application is received in Sydney, Nova Scotia and is considered complete, it will be reviewed and processing will start.
  • Some applications may encounter delays and require more time for processing. In these cases, you will be contacted for more information or asked to supply additional documents.
  • If you are sending an application from outside Canada and the US, through a consular mission, allow sufficient time for your application to be received at the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, as mail service can vary between countries. If you reside in the US, send your application directly to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia,
  • If your application is approved, you will receive a renunciation document which will show the date you ceased to be a Canadian citizen.

Important information

Updating your contact information

During the application process, you must advise us of any change of address, telephone number or email address by:

Checking application status

In Canada and the United States

You may Contact Us or go online to see the current status of your application:

  1. Click on Check application status, and
  2. follow the instructions provided.

To obtain details on how to remove your application status information from the Internet, visit the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section.

If you are outside Canada and the United States:

Contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your region

Your personal information

Your personal information is:

  • available to CIC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it in order to provide the services to you, and
  • not disclosed to anyone else except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Citizenship Regulations.

For more information. You can obtain additional information on the protection of your data by visiting the Help Centre.

Quality Assurance Program

Our quality assurance program randomly chooses applications for a special review. If chosen, we will ask you to attend an interview with an IRCC official to:

  • verify that the documentation and any other information you submitted is accurate,
  • verify that your application has been completed properly.

Note: We will notify you in writing if your application is chosen.


For more information

Current processing times

Processing time can change. You can check current processing times on the Application processing times webpage.

Need help?

If you need help, you can find answers to your questions by visiting the Help Centre.

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