Frequently asked questions
Answers, organized by where you are.
Everything I wish someone had told us when we started — 140+ questions covering the law, eligibility, documents, phogots, application, and what comes after.
Your situation
Determining eligibility.
Am I eligible?
The most common scenarios and how to know if Bill C-3 applies to you.
13 Questions →Eligibility edge cases
Historical situations, pre-1947 records, Crown servants, Newfoundland, and other unusual lines.
12 Questions →Understanding your ancestry chain
Counting generations, identifying your anchor, and mapping the line of descent.
9 Questions →Getting organized
Planning your application.
Finding & gathering documents
Birth, marriage, baptism, and historical records — where to find them and how to request certified copies.
19 Questions →CIT 0001 — online vs. paper
Which form to use, why multi-generational applicants can't apply online, and what to do when the form doesn't fit your situation.
13 Questions →Putting it together
Completing and submitting your application.
Preparing and submitting documents
Color copies, translations, certified records, and how to organize everything for IRCC.
8 Questions →Photos, ID & payment
IRCC photo specs, accepted ID combinations, and how to pay the application fee from the US.
10 Questions →Mailing & submitting
Shipping carriers, tracking, customs forms, and the cheapest reliable way to send from the US.
3 Questions →What comes next
After you apply.
Tracking & processing
What happens after you mail your package, expected timelines, and how to check status.
5 Questions →Dual citizenship (US & Canada)
How dual citizenship works across travel, employment, taxes, and other domains.
8 Questions →Taxes and financial considerations
US tax obligations, FATCA, Canadian banking, and what changes financially as a dual citizen.
6 Questions →Traveling to and entering Canada
What documents to carry, how border crossings work, and getting your first Canadian passport.
5 Questions →After the certificate — next steps
What to do once your citizenship certificate arrives, including SIN, healthcare, and voter registration.
7 Questions →Learning about Canada
Canadian culture and history, and maybe even dipping your toe into learning French.
6 Questions →ONE-TIME PURCHASE
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