Canadian Citizenship for Children Under 18: Who Can Apply and How

Who counts as a minor and which process applies

IRCC treats anyone under 18 when the application is signed as a minor. Depending on the parents, a minor applies through the minor 5(2) or the minor 5(1) process:

• Minor 5(2): the child has a Canadian parent, or a parent who is applying for citizenship at the same time
• Minor 5(1): the child has neither a Canadian parent nor a parent applying at the same time

In both cases the child must be a permanent resident. If you are an adult applying yourself, see the eligibility requirements instead.

Minor 5(2): a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time

To apply for the minor under 5(2), you must be their parent (biological or adoptive) or their legal guardian. IRCC lists these requirements for minor 5(2): the minor must be a permanent resident, must take the oath of citizenship if aged 14 to 17, and must not be under a prohibition. Most prohibitions are due to criminal and security reasons, and IRCC says to wait until the situation no longer affects the minor's eligibility before applying.

IRCC's list of requirements for minor 5(2) does not include a physical presence or tax requirement. Those two appear in the list for minor 5(1). Read the current list on the IRCC page before you apply.

Minor 5(1): no Canadian parent and no parent applying at the same time

To apply for the minor under 5(1), you must have custody of the minor or be able to legally act on their behalf. You do not have to be a Canadian citizen. The minor must be a permanent resident and must:

• have been physically in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) during the 5-year eligibility period, which is the 5 years before the parent or guardian signs the application and must include at least 730 days as a permanent resident
• have filed income taxes in Canada if needed, for at least 3 years during the 5 years before the date of applying
• take the oath of citizenship if aged 14 to 17
• not be under a prohibition

The half-day rule for time as a temporary resident or protected person (maximum 365 days of presence) and the rule for children of Crown servants are described on IRCC's page. Our guide to counting physical presence explains the same counting rules for adults, and IRCC has a separate page on how to calculate the minor's physical presence. IRCC also encourages the minor to apply with more than 1,095 days in case there is a problem with the calculation.

Can a minor apply alone?

IRCC says a minor may apply on their own if there is no one who can apply for them. The minor selects the waiver checkbox in the signature section of the online or paper application, which means they are requesting to apply alone. This only applies to minor 5(1). IRCC adds that it will tell the minor whether it approves or rejects the request to apply alone. If it rejects the request, it stops processing the application until there is an eligible person who can apply for the minor.

The two processes side by side

This table summarizes IRCC's descriptions in short form. The IRCC pages are the reference.

What children under 18 do not need to do

IRCC says all minors under 18 do not need to prove their language skills or take the citizenship test. That is different from adults aged 18 to 54, who need language proof and the test. IRCC also says minors under 14 do not need to take the oath of citizenship. Adults must take the oath at the citizenship ceremony if they are at least 18 and their application is approved. For minors aged 14 to 17, IRCC lists the oath as a requirement, and they can request a waiver for the oath only, for example if they cannot take the oath at the ceremony because of a disability or other accessibility reasons.

Who signs the application

The parent or legal guardian signs the minor's application. For minor 5(1), IRCC says a parent, a legal guardian or a person who can act on the minor's behalf must sign. A minor aged 14 to 17 must also sign and date their own application.

The fee for a minor

IRCC's fee list shows $100 CAD for a minor (under 18), and says this amount includes the processing fee. The adult amount is $653 CAD because it also includes the right of citizenship fee. IRCC states that it does not give a refund for a minor's application if it does not approve it. If you withdraw the application, or IRCC closes it, before it starts processing, IRCC refunds the full amount you paid. After IRCC starts processing, it does not give a refund for a minor's application. If you pay more than the required amount per minor, IRCC refunds the extra automatically. See our cost of citizenship page for the full picture, and confirm the amount on IRCC's fee list before you pay.

How to apply: online or on paper

IRCC says applying online is faster and more efficient than applying on paper. For a minor, the parent or legal guardian starts an online application, creates and fills out the application for the minor, and signs and dates it. IRCC says you can apply for up to 20 minors per account. If you apply as a family, a minor can only be attached to 1 adult account. To move a child to another adult's account, IRCC says you must delete the child's application in your account and the other adult must create a new application in theirs.

Some applicants must apply on paper: when the physical presence calculation includes time spent outside Canada as a Crown servant or a family member of one, or when you want your representative to complete and submit the application for you or your child. A minor 5(1) applicant who has nobody to apply for them can apply online alone, or on paper.

Documents IRCC lists for a paper application

If you apply online, the required documents are shown in the online account, and IRCC says submitting the wrong documents can make processing take longer. For paper applications, IRCC lists these for both processes: the document checklist, the application form, colour copies of the identity pages of the minor's passports and travel documents from the 5-year eligibility period, copies of 2 pieces of personal identification (one with the minor's photo), 2 identical colour citizenship photos, and the fee receipt.

Minor 5(2) also needs the minor's birth certificate or adoption order, and, if they apply, proof of a Canadian parent's citizenship or proof of legal guardianship. Minor 5(1) also needs the minor's physical presence calculation, proof of your relationship with the minor (for example a birth certificate listing you as the parent, an adoption order or a custody document), and the minor's official education records such as report cards or transcripts. Documents not in English or French need a translation as described by IRCC, and if you use a representative, paid or unpaid, include the form IMM 5476.

What IRCC warns about

IRCC states several points that can slow an application down:

• documents that are not clear and easy to read: IRCC may return the application or take longer to process it
• paying nothing or only part of the fee: IRCC returns the application and processes it only after the full payment and receipt arrive
• a child added to two adult accounts: a minor can only be attached to 1 adult account

If the child may already be a citizen because of a Canadian parent or grandparent, IRCC points to a separate check and a citizenship certificate application. Our article on Bill C-3 explains recent changes for citizenship by descent. Canada allows dual citizenship, but IRCC notes that not every country does, and that you may lose your current citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen. If you are not sure, IRCC says to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the current country of citizenship.

Frequently asked questions

Does my child have to take the citizenship test?

No. IRCC says all minors under 18 do not need to take the citizenship test or prove their language skills.

Can my child take the oath at the ceremony?

IRCC lists the oath as a requirement for minors aged 14 to 17 and says minors under 14 do not need to take it. Minors aged 14 to 17 can request a waiver for the oath only, for example if they cannot take it at the ceremony because of a disability or other accessibility reasons.

How much does a child application cost?

$100 CAD on IRCC's fee list, which includes the processing fee. Fees change, so check the list before you pay.

Does the parent have to be a Canadian citizen?

For minor 5(2), the child needs a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time. For minor 5(1), the person applying for the minor does not have to be a Canadian citizen.

Where do I find the official forms and checklist?

On IRCC's pages for minor 5(1) and minor 5(2) forms and documents, linked below.