Canadian Citizenship Proof Wait Time Jumps to 25 Months

A growing number of people seeking proof of Canadian citizenship are facing much longer waits than expected, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada now listing a 25-month processing time for citizenship certificate applications.

The delay affects many people applying for proof of citizenship by descent. Some began gathering family records when the estimated wait was far shorter, only to see the timeline increase before they submitted.

Processing Time Rises Sharply

As of August 10, 2026, IRCC’s online processing tool showed an estimated 25-month wait for proof of citizenship applications. More than 121,000 applications were in the queue, an increase of about 22,300 in one month.

That estimate starts only after an application is submitted. Before filing, applicants may spend months locating birth, marriage and death records from several generations. Some records must come from provincial archives or vital statistics offices that may also face delays.

Applicants must also provide compliant photos, complete the proper forms and pay the required fee.

IRCC’s posted processing time is an estimate, not a guarantee. Cases involving missing records, name changes or documents from several provinces or countries can take longer.

Why the Backlog Has Grown

The processing estimate stood at about 10 months in January 2026. It has since climbed to 25 months.

One major factor is the rise in applications after Bill C-3 took effect on December 15, 2025. The law removed the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent for people born before that date, allowing more people with Canadian ancestry to qualify. Tens of thousands of Americans have applied since the change.

A separate IRCC review also added pressure.

In June, the department flagged about 100 citizenship certificates that had already been issued because of documentation concerns. IRCC temporarily paused final decisions on new applications while reviewing the issue.

The review ended by June 30, and processing resumed.

What Applicants Can Do

Applicants with complete, straightforward files may choose to submit as soon as they are ready instead of waiting while processing times continue to rise.

In some cases, a person waiting for one official record may apply with secondary evidence, a letter explaining the missing document and proof that the record was formally requested. The original document should be added once it arrives.

However, an incomplete application can still be returned, creating further delays.

IRCC may grant urgent processing for specific situations, including employment or school needs, a family death or serious illness requiring travel, statelessness, bringing a Canadian minor child to Canada, or certain hardship cases.

Applicants can also seek legal advice when documents are difficult to obtain or a file has complications.

People with submitted applications may request their Global Case Management System (GCMS) notes through the Access to Information and Privacy process. A Canadian citizen or permanent resident representative may need to make the request with written consent, using the applicant’s UCI and application number.

For unusually long delays, an applicant may ask the Federal Court for a writ of mandamus directing IRCC to make a decision.

The court considers the length and circumstances of the delay. Such an order can require IRCC to act, but it does not guarantee that the citizenship application will be approved.