Archives Overwhelmed as Canada Opens Citizenship to Millions of Americans

Canada has experienced a dramatic surge in requests for proof of Canadian citizenship after a change in legislation granted citizenship to any American who can trace their ancestry to Canada. The new law eliminates the country’s first-generation limit on citizenship by descent, allowing individuals born before December 15, 2025, to claim Canadian citizenship, no matter how many generations back their Canadian connection goes.

A Massive Increase in Requests

The change in citizenship law has opened the door to millions of Americans now eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. However, before they can obtain a Canadian passport, they must first apply for a citizenship certificate. This requires submitting official copies of documents proving their Canadian ancestry, which has overwhelmed the provincial archives responsible for maintaining these vital records.

Among the hardest-hit archives is the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), which has reported a staggering 3,000% increase in requests. The surge can be traced to the large-scale migration of French Canadians to New England between 1840 and 1930, known as the Great Hemorrhage. Many of the Americans applying for citizenship are descendants of these early French Canadian immigrants.

Surges Across Other Provinces

Other provinces with significant historical connections to the U.S. are also seeing similar spikes in requests. In New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island (PEI), many applicants are descendants of the Acadians. These French-speaking people were displaced by the British in 1755, and many eventually settled in Louisiana before the Louisiana Purchase.

The Nova Scotia Archives, for example, experienced ten times more requests in January and February 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. By March 2026, the archive had received 270 additional requests, causing its backlog to rise to around 600. Similarly, the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick had over 1,000 requests, with an additional 400 citizenship-related inquiries arriving each month. Archivist Joanna Aiton Kerr noted that the surge began in December 2025 and has continued unabated.

Prince Edward Island's Public Archives and Records Office has seen a 143% increase in requests for proof of Canadian citizenship, and its automatic email response now advises that due to the high volume, no timeline can be given for order completion.

Why Are So Many Americans Applying?

The primary reason behind the surge is that Americans are seeking Canadian citizenship as a backup plan. Despite many of these applicants having no immediate intention to leave the U.S., obtaining Canadian citizenship offers significant benefits. Canada allows dual citizenship, and unlike the United States, Canada does not impose a worldwide tax on its citizens. As a result, dual U.S.-Canadian citizens do not face additional tax obligations.

Moreover, being a dual citizen provides full rights in both countries, including the ability to live, work, and travel freely between the two nations. Additionally, Canadian passports are ranked higher than U.S. passports on the Henley Passport Index, making them an attractive option for those seeking global mobility.

The Growing Backlog

With millions of Americans now eligible for Canadian citizenship, the backlog of citizenship requests is unlikely to slow down any time soon. Archives across the country are struggling to keep up with the demand for proof of Canadian ancestry, and applicants are advised that processing times may be lengthy due to the high volume of requests.