New Hampshire Residents Now Eligible for Canadian Citizenship by Descent

Residents of New Hampshire now have a unique opportunity to claim Canadian citizenship, thanks to a recent change in Canada’s Citizenship Act. As of December 15, 2025, anyone born before that date with Canadian ancestry, no matter how many generations back, is legally recognized as a Canadian citizen by descent. This opens the door for thousands of New Hampshire residents to obtain Canadian passports.

A History of Canadian Ancestry in New Hampshire

The connection between New Hampshire and Canada is significant, with a long history of French-Canadian migration to the U.S. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, around 900,000 French Canadians left Quebec for work in New England, and a substantial number settled in New Hampshire. By 1910, 23,000 French-Canadians lived in Manchester, representing nearly 40% of the city’s population. As a result of this migration, New Hampshire has the highest proportion of self-reported Canadian ancestry in the U.S., with about 8.06% of its population identifying as having Canadian roots.

Today, this legacy means that many New Hampshire residents can now trace their lineage back to these early French-Canadian settlers, making them eligible for Canadian citizenship, even if they are several generations removed.

How the New Law Affects New Hampshire Residents

Under the amended Canadian Citizenship Act, New Hampshire residents with even one Canadian ancestor are considered Canadian citizens. This change allows them to apply for a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate, and once approved, they can apply for a Canadian passport.

To prove their Canadian ancestry, applicants must provide documentation that traces their family line back to a Canadian ancestor. This could include birth certificates, baptismal records, marriage certificates, or even church records, especially for those with French-Canadian ancestry. However, gathering this documentation can be a challenge, as many records are over a century old.

Challenges in Gathering Documentation

Many Americans seeking Canadian citizenship through descent face difficulty in collecting the necessary records. A key resource for French-Canadian genealogies is Quebec’s national archive, the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ). Since the new law took effect, the BAnQ has been flooded with requests for certified copies of records. Due to high demand, Americans are often advised to work with Quebec-based immigration lawyers or licensed immigration consultants to help navigate the process.

Application Process and TimelineOnce applicants have gathered their documentation, they can submit their applications to Canada’s citizenship department. At present, processing time for proof of citizenship applications is about 10 months. After receiving their proof of citizenship, they can apply for a Canadian passport. Passport processing generally takes between 10 and 20 business days, with a 30-day money-back guarantee on processing time.