Bill C-3 Citizenship by Descent: What Applicants Need to Know About IRCC's Certificate Review?

IRCC says its broader review of approximately 6,500 Bill C-3 applications is complete, although 67 previously flagged certificate cases remain under review.

The review started after a routine check in June found about 100 certificates that needed more supporting documents. This is part of the roughly 6,500 certificates issued under Bill C-3, the Citizenship Act 2025.

33 certificates were reinstated right away. The remaining 67 cases are still being looked at. IRCC says affected applicants will either get their certificates back or be asked for information soon.

IRCC first contacted applicants on June 13. While they were reviewing, they stopped processing new citizenship-by-descent applications and changed their document requirements.

It is important to note that this review does not mean citizenship-by-descent applications are being rejected. There are a few files that need more verification. Applicants who have all the required documents can still proceed with the process without any problems.

If you are waiting for a decision, you do not need to worry about changes to the law. Bill C-3 is still in effect. The eligibility requirements are the same. To avoid delays, make sure your application has all the documents and explanations for any missing records. Complete applications are less likely to need review.

You can now apply for a Proof of Citizenship Certificate.

Before you move forward with your application, check the eligibility criteria and ensure your paperwork complies with IRCC guidelines.

Receiving a surrender letter doesn’t mean that your citizenship certificate has been canceled or that your application has been rejected.

There is one of the two situations that usually happens:

• The IRCC may confirm your documentation, and you will receive your certificate back without having to provide any additional information.

• They may request additional documentation from you or ask for clarification before the decision is made.

If IRCC asks you to provide additional documents, respond promptly. If you feel confused and do not know what to do, it may be a good idea to seek assistance from an immigration attorney.

If you haven’t received any communication from IRCC regarding your case, you don’t need to take any action until the matter is resolved.

If you have received a letter of surrender, you are free to work in Canada. Retain your legal status. If your Canadian passport was issued while your citizenship certificate was under review, the IRCC may ask you to refrain from using it until your matter is resolved. If you need to travel, be sure to seek counsel before doing so.

What Has Changed?

The rules for Bill C-3 are still the same. What has changed is how IRCC reviews supporting documents.

Now IRCC wants documents from the source, like:

• Civil registry offices

• Provincial or territorial vital statistics agencies

• Other government authorities

IRCC likes official source documents to prove citizenship by descent.

IRCC says applicants who have all the documents should not worry. The review only affects several certificates, and most applicants are still being processed normally. It can be hard to prepare a strong application when records are old, from another country, or in a different language. In these cases, getting help from a lawyer before you apply might avoid delays or requests for information. Bill C-3 citizenship-by-descent applications can be complicated. It is good to get help if you need it.