Apply for proof of citizenship urgently
We can only process applications for a citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) in an urgent manner in special cases. Every request for urgent processing will be assessed to see if the applicant meets one of the conditions for urgent processing.
Conditions for urgent processing are:
- You need a citizenship certificate to travel to or from Canada because of a death or serious illness in your family.
- You need a citizenship certificate to prove you are a Canadian citizen to get a job.
- You need a citizenship certificate to access benefits like a pension, a Social Insurance Number, or health care.
If you request urgent processing and do not include supporting documentation or an explanation letter, your application will be processed based on the actual processing times posted in the Department’s website.
See the Application Processing Times to find out how long it takes to process an application for a citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship).
Notice – Effective until fall 2017
Dual Canadian citizens impacted by eTA can apply for a proof of citizenship urgently. To qualify, the Canadian citizen must:
- also be a citizen of another visa-exempt country,
- have proof of air travel to Canada within 6 months following the date of application, and
- have submitted concurrently a complete Proof of Canadian citizenship and Canadian passport application.
If you have not sent your application
- Download and print the Application for a Citizenship Certificate.
- Complete the application form. Answer all the questions.
- Put all the required documents, photographs and fees in the same envelope as the application.
- Include an explanation of why you need urgent processing. You must include any documents that will support your explanation.
- Write “Urgent – Citizenship Certificate (Proof)” in large, dark letters on the envelope.
- Mail your application to the address listed in the instruction guide.
If you live in Canada or the United States, mail your application to the address listed in Step 4. Mail the application section of the instruction guide. An agent from the Case Processing Centre will review your application to see if we can process your request for a citizenship certificate urgently.
If you live outside Canada and outside the United States, contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your region.
If you have already sent your application and now require urgent processing
If you live in Canada, contact the Call Centre and speak to an agent. The agent will tell you if we can process your application for a citizenship certificate urgently. If we can, the agent will explain what you will need to do.
If you live in the United States:
- Send a letter directly to IRCC in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Use the address in the instruction guide.
- Write “Urgent – Citizenship Certificate (Proof)” in large, dark letters on the envelope.
- Include an explanation of why you need urgent processing. You must include any documents that will support your explanation. Make sure your explanation includes your full name, date of birth and telephone numbers.
If you live outside Canada and outside the United States, contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your region.