Parents Born in Canada - Citizenship by Descent

Both of my parents were born and raised in Canada. In the early 1950s, they immigrated to Vermont and soon after obtained their US Citizenship. However, in the process, they lost their Canadien citizenship. I think at that time, they were allowed only one citizenship.

My questions --- Is it possible for me to obtain a Canadian citizenship based on my parent's birth certificates instead of citizenship records? I was born in the USA and live there currently.

When were YOU born? Although I don't think it makes a difference, unless you were born before 1947.

The key is your parents. One of them MUST have been a Cdn citizen at the time of your birth. So the key would be to determine if they really had lost Cdn citizenship at the exact time of your birth. if they had lost it, it is unlikley that you qualify.

Another avenue is if canada later restored your parents' Cdn citizenship (legislation in last 30 years has often done this), would this restoration apply retro actively to your birth. That one I do not know.

Thanks AGN. I was born in 1958 and my parents were already US Citizens at that time. Back then, dual citizenship wasn't allowed, so they had lost their Canadian citizenship before I was born.

I wonder if one of my parents can get Canadian citizenship back today, and if so, would I be eligible?

I think only those born AFTER 1946 can reclaim Cdn citizenship that they lost (ie. your parents). From what you said it appears they were born before this date, so I don't think the new law applies.

You can do a test online. Do it for yourself and for your parents.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenshi ... /index.asp

I believe from what you told us, that your parents regained their citizenship in 2009, and -- since they were not only citizens but also born in canada -- you too are now a citizen by descent.


The questionnaire is not official, so you would need to contact CIC