Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship under Subsection 9(1)
Applications; Citizenship; Renunciation of citizenship
Citizenship Canada
CIT 0302 - Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship under Subsection 9(1)
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Table of Contents

This is not a legal document. The explanations and definitions are not legal definitions. In case of a discrepancy between the language in this document and the relevant legislation or regulations, the legal text in the legislation and regulations prevails.

For legal information, see the:

Citizenship Act

Citizenship Regulations and Citizenship Regulations No. 2

This information will help you complete the forms and guide you through the application process.

Overview

This application is for an adult Canadian citizen who wishes to renounce their Canadian citizenship. To renounce your Canadian citizenship you must prove you are a Canadian citizen. You must also prove that you are, or will become a citizen of a country other than Canada, if this application to renounce is approved.

Note: If you acquired or reacquired Canadian citizenship as a result of changes to the Citizenship Act that took effect on April 17, 2009, you may be eligible to apply to renounce your citizenship under section 7.1 of the Citizenship Regulations. See the guide Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship for certain persons who acquired citizenship on April 17, 2009 (R7.1).

Why you need to read this guide?

This guide provides all of the instructions necessary to complete this application. As a result of reading the guide, you should be able to:

complete the application form, and

determine what supporting documents need to be included.

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 (to visit, work or study), you will have to apply for a temporary resident visa, if applicable.

Before you apply

Read the instructions carefully. They contain important information. Be sure you are eligible to apply before you submit your application. There is no refund of the processing fee.

What are the requirements?

To be eligible to renounce your Canadian citizenship, you must:

be a Canadian citizen;

prove that you are or that you will become a citizen of a country other than Canada if your application to renounce is approved;

not live in Canada;

be at least 18 years old;

not be a threat to Canada’s security or part of a pattern of criminal activity; and

understand the significance of renouncing your Canadian citizenship.

Note: The Minister has the discretion to waive some of the requirements aforementioned for compassionate reasons.

Who cannot apply to renounce Canadian citizenship?

You are not eligible to renounce your Canadian citizenship if Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has begun the process of revoking your citizenship under section 10 or 10.1 of the Act. This measure will stay in effect until IRCC informs you of the decision on the revocation.

What you must send with your application

Refer to the Document Checklist (CIT 0402) (PDF, 295.62KB) to assist you in gathering the necessary documentation.

You need to provide clear and easy-to-read colour copies of your documents, unless otherwise stated.

Note: If any of the required documents are missing, or the photocopies are of poor quality, your application may be returned to you.

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 licence, 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 an 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.

Gender change

If you need to change the gender on your citizenship certificate or would like to use a different gender than the one on your immigration document, complete and submit the Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier [IRM 0002] (PDF, 1.79 MB) with your application.

Translation of documents

You must include the following along with any document that is not in English or French:

the English or French translation; and

an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they are not a certified translator).

Translations may be done by:

a person who is fluent in both languages (English or French, and the unofficial language); or

a Canadian certified translator (a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada).

If the translation isn’t done by a Canadian certified translator, the person who completed the translation must provide an affidavit swearing to their language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation.

The affidavit must be sworn in the presence of:

In Canada:

a notary public;

a commissioner of oaths; or

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. This includes a parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal 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 where 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 in Canada don’t need to supply an affidavit.

Documents issued in Quebec

Baptismal certificates, birth certificates, and marriage certificates issued in Quebec before January 1, 1994, are no longer accepted. If you have one of these certificates, you must obtain a new document. This can be done by contacting the office of the Directeur de l’état civil du Québec.

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

Failure to include the necessary documents (for example: two pieces of identification) will result in delays in processing your application.

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.

Citizenship fees

Your fees

Use the table below to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid. Fees must be included with this application.

Application (per person) $CAN Renounce your citizenship $100

Explanation of fees and refunds

The following table describes the fees that are required and if they are refundable. All payment must be made in Canadian funds.

Processing Fee

Amount: $100 for each person

Non-refundable once processing has begun, regardless of the final decision.

Payment Issues

No fee included or insufficient fees

If you do not pay the full fees for your application(s) we will return your application(s). We will only start processing your application after you return it with the correct fees.

For immigration applications, see section 10 of the IRPR and for citizenship applications, see section 13 of the Citizenship Act for more information.

Overpayment

If you pay more than the fees needed for your application(s) we will start processing your application, and send you a refund as soon as possible.

Note: You don’t have to ask for a refund. It will be done automatically.

Note: If you’re eligible for a refund, we will issue the refund to the person indicated on the Payer Information section of the receipt (if a receipt is attached to a paper application or uploaded as part of an online application). If you paid directly within an online application (no receipt attached), or if there is no name indicated on the receipt, we will send the refund to the applicant.

Only online payments are accepted in Canada. If any other forms of payment are received, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will return your application.

How to pay the fees for your application

To pay your fees for your application you’ll need:

a valid e-mail address;

access to a printer (you’ll need to print the receipt), and

a credit card, Debit MasterCard® or Visa® Debit card.

Visit the link below and follow these instructions to pay:

Go to Online Payment.

Follow the online instructions.

At the end, click on the button to print the IRCC official receipt with barcode. Print two copies.

Attach a copy of this receipt to your completed application.

Keep the second copy of the receipt for your records.

Do not exit without printing the receipt! The printed receipt is your proof of payment!

Outside Canada only

The following mode of payment may be used if you do not have access to the Internet.

If you do not have access to the Internet, you may pay directly to the Canadian embassy, High Commission or consulate closest to your home.

Make sure you submit your completed application and the correct fees. If more than one adult member of your family is applying for renunciation of Canadian citizenship, pay all the fees together.

Note: The only acceptable forms of payment outside Canada are online or payment directly to the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your area.

You can find information on fee payment methods outside Canada by

Going to Pay your fees.

Selecting Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates.

You must choose the consular office responsible for your area.

Note: Consular offices cannot accept:

receipts for fees paid in Canada, or

personal cheques.

How to complete your application

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

Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship [CIT 0302] (PDF, 1.86MB)

Use of a Representative (IMM 5476), if applicable (PDF, 648.31KB)

Optional:

Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier [IRM 0002] (PDF, 1.79MB)

Follow the instructions carefully. Delays will result if the application is not properly completed, or if all of the necessary documents have not been submitted. If you need more space to answer any questions use an extra sheet of paper and indicate the number and/or letter of the question you are answering.

Warning: If you send us an application that has any misleading or fraudulent information on it, you can be charged with a criminal offence, and you may be subject to criminal prosecution in a court and refusal of your application for renunciation of citizenship.

Follow these step-by-step instructions

Section 1

You must indicate whether you would like service in English or French.

Section 2

Please enter your UCI or “Unique Client Identifier”, the 8 or 10 digit number that is unique to your IRCC immigration and citizenship records.

If you do not have a UCI, enter “not applicable” or “NA”. If you do not know your UCI, enter “Unknown.”

Section 3

Provide your first and last name as they appear on your birth or citizenship certificate

Enter any other names by which you are known, or have been known (for example: previous family names, other given names, aliases, nicknames)

Print your date of birth exactly as it appears on your certificate of Canadian citizenship or your birth certificate. This is the date of birth that will appear on your certificate of renunciation of Canadian citizenship.

Indicate the place and country or territory of birth (e.g. Paris, France)

Indicate whether you are F Female, M Male or X Another gender, your height, the colour of your eyes.

Section 4

In this section you can request a change to the personal details that appear on your previous citizenship certificate or, if this will be your first certificate, the personal details that appear on your birth certificate.

If you want to change your name(s) or your date of birth or your gender, please check the 'Yes' response. Otherwise, check the 'No' response and proceed to section 5.

If you check 'Yes', you'll need to check the box that describes your change of personal details request, and then enter the requested information in the spaces provided.

Request for a different name: If you want a name that is different from the name(s) you provided in section 3, or section 5, if this is your first application enter the requested surname/last name and given name(s) in the spaces provided. Include the required supporting documents with your application. See details above.

Request for a different date of birth: If you want a date of birth that is different from the date of birth you provided in section 3, if this is your first application, enter the requested date of birth in the space provided. Include the required supporting documents with your application. See details above.

Note: You cannot request a name change after your application has been submitted.

Section 5

You must indicate if you ever had a certificate of Canadian citizenship or naturalization by checking “no” or “yes”. If you check “yes”, write down the surname/last name, given names, certificate number and the date the certificate was issued.

You must indicate whether you are returning the certificate of Canadian citizenship and/or the pink transmission copy of a certificate with your application. If not, indicate if the certificate was stolen, lost, or destroyed. Indicate if the theft or loss was reported to police and give details. You must return any Canadian citizenship certificates in your possession. Failure to do so will result in delays in processing your application.

Write down your surname/last name and given names, as they appear on your certificate of Canadian citizenship or birth certificate.

If you have legally changed your name, indicate what your new name is. Remember to supply the original or a certified true copy of your legal change of name document (for example, provincial/foreign government change of name certificate, court order, marriage certificate, adoption order, divorce decree, etc.).

If you have used another name in the past, or are known by a name other than the one you listed above, write it down on the application form. (Other names can include your birth name, nicknames, call names, community names, etc.)

You may request that the certificate of renunciation of Canadian citizenship show a name other than the one on your Canadian citizenship certificate or birth certificate, if you can provide identification to support the name you are requesting. If this change is significant, linking documentation showing the use of both names or the basis for the change will also be required. Examples of linking documents include a marriage certificate, a foreign change of name certificate, an adoption order, a foreign passport showing both names or a divorce decree.

Section 6

You must indicate if you have ever applied to renounce your Canadian citizenship before. Check “no” or “yes”. If “ yes” give the date you last applied.

Section 7

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.

Check the box to indicate if you live outside of Canada and attach proof when submitting your application.

If you received a certificate of Canadian citizenship on or after February 15,1977, go to Section 12.

Section 8

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

Print your spouse's surname/last name, given names, country and date of birth.

Print the country in which you were married and the date of your marriage.

Indicate if your spouse is a Canadian citizen; if your spouse is, provide the details.

Enter the number from your spouse’s citizenship certificate, if your spouse has one, and the date your spouse acquired citizenship.

Section 9

If your most recent certificate of Canadian citizenship was issued before February 15, 1977 or you have never had a certificate, list all absences from Canada of one year or longer before 1977. List from the date you left Canada to the date you returned. Indicate the country where you went and the reason for the absence.

Section 10

Indicate if you are claiming Canadian citizenship by birth outside Canada to a Canadian parent.

Indicate if you have entered Canada. If yes, write down the date you entered.

Indicate if you were a British subject living in Canada before 1947. If yes, write down the date you entered Canada.

Section 11

Answer all questions on information regarding your parents:

Indicate the relationship of your parents to you by indicating biological, adoptive or legal parent at birth.

“biological parent” (means you have a genetic or gestational connection to that parent)

select “biological parent” if your parent is both your biological and legal parent at birth, or

your parent has a biological connection to you and they are not listed on your birth certificate but you have birth records and documents that recognize your parent(s). (ex. pre-birth orders, court orders, surrogacy agreements, hospital records, etc.)

Note: After submitting your application, IRCC might request a DNA test to confirm parentage. IRCC will also provide a list of accredited laboratories to complete the DNA test. In these cases, DNA results must have an accuracy of 99.8% or higher.

“adoptive parent” (means that you were legally adopted after you were born)

“legal parent at birth” (means that your biological or non-biological parent was listed on the original birth certificate or birth record issued at the time of your birth)

your parent was listed on your original birth certificate issued at the time of your birth, and / or

you have birth records and documents that recognize your parent(s) at the time of your birth (ex. pre-birth orders, court orders, surrogacy agreements, hospital records, etc.)

does not include adoptive parents (even those recognized right after birth) or legal guardians.

Print your parents surname and last name, given names, date of birth and place 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.

Indicate if your parents have left Canada for more than one year before 1977. If yes, write the dates they were away and the country (countries) they visited.

Indicate if your parents are or were citizens of a country other than Canada. If yes, write the details showing the country, date and how the citizenship was obtained.

Indicate if your parents were employed in Canada by a foreign government or international agency. If yes, provide details.

If your parents were born in Canada, indicate if one of your grandparents was employed by a foreign government or international agency. If yes, provide details.

Section 12

Provide your last and first name

Provide your e-mail address using a format similar to the following: name@provider.net

Provide your current home address complete with postal code (or foreign equivalent).

If your mailing address is different from your home address, include your mailing address, complete with 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.

We may need to contact you by phone. List the phone numbers 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.

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

Section 13

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 us 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 14

To complete the application, please check the confirmations that you fully understand what submitting this application means. You will lose all rights and privileges of being a Canadian and you will no longer have status in Canada.

Please confirm the reasons why you wish to renounce your Canadian citizenship.

You must sign the application with the signature you currently use on other official documents. Indicate where and when (place and date) you signed your application. Be sure you are eligible to apply before you submit your application because there is no refund of the processing fee.

If your application is not signed and dated, it will be returned to you. If you are a minor (under 18 years of age) at the time of signature, the application will be returned to you. There is no provision in the Act for a minor to renounce citizenship. Your application will also be returned to you if it is stale-dated (we receive an application signed more than three months ago) or if it is post-dated (we receive an application dated into the future).

Where to send your application

Track your application

If you submit a paper application, we recommend that you use a postal or courier service with a tracking number to ensure you get proof that your application was delivered to the IRCC office.

If you are living in Canada or the United States, complete the mailing envelope as follows:

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

P.O. Box 10000

SYDNEY, NS B1P 7C1

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

or

If you are living outside Canada or the United States, submit your application to a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate for processing.

What happens next

Once your application is received in Sydney, Nova Scotia and is considered complete, it will be reviewed and processing will begin.

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 (CPC) in Sydney, Nova Scotia, as mail service can vary between countries. If you reside in the US, send your application directly to the CPC in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

If your application is approved, you will receive a certificate of renunciation.

Your application, along with the processing fee, will be returned to you if we have begun revocation proceedings under Section 10 or Section 10.1 of the Act.

If the processing of your renunciation application has begun and then we begin the process of revoking your citizenship under section 10 or section 10.1 of the Act, the processing of your renunciation application will be suspended until a decision is made on the revocation process.

Checking your application status

In Canada and the United States

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

Go to Check application status.

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.

Processing times

You can obtain current processing times for renunciation applications online.

Protecting your information

Your personal information is:

only available to IRCC 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 other organizations except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act.

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

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.

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

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