Application for Canadian citizenship – Minors (under 18 years of age) applying under subsection 5(1) – (CIT 0403)

This form and guide is for permanent residents, under 18 years of age, who have one parent who is a Canadian citizen or one parent who is applying for their Canadian citizenship at the same time.

This is not a legal document. The explanations and definitions are not legal definitions. In case of a discrepancy between the language in this document and the relevant legislation or regulations, the legal text in the legislation and regulations prevails.

For legal information, see the:

• Citizenship Act
• Citizenship Regulations and Citizenship Regulations No. 2

This information will help you complete the forms and guide you through the application process.

Accessing help

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Steps to Canadian Citizenship

• Step 1– Make sure the minor is eligible
• Step 2– Gather the minor’s documents
• Step 3– Complete the application form
• Step 4– Pay the fees
• Step 5– Submit the application
• Step 6– Wait for a decision
• Step 7– Go to a citizenship ceremony and take the oath
• Appendix A– Name Change
• Appendix B– Date of Birth Correction
• Appendix C– Change Gender

Step 1 – Make sure the minor is eligible

To be eligible for a grant of Canadian citizenship, the minor must:

• be under 18 years of age at the time the application is signed;
• be a permanent resident of Canada;
• have at least one parent (includes legally adoptive parent) who is a Canadian citizen or who will become a citizen at the same time as the minor (applying together as a family).

Minor children must not:

• be subject to any prohibition under the Citizenship Act (see section 11 of the application form CIT 0003); and/or
• have any unfulfilled conditions relating to their permanent resident status; and/or
• be under a removal order (asked by Canadian officials to leave Canada).

If the minor does not have a Canadian parent or is not applying at the same time as a parent; please use Application for Canadian citizenship – Minor (under 18 years of age) under subsection 5(1).

Is the minor already a citizen?

A minor born outside Canada to a Canadian parent on or after April 17, 2009, is a citizen by birth if the minor is in the first generation born outside Canada, and the Canadian parent:

• was born in Canada; or
• became a Canadian citizen by immigrating to Canada (becoming a permanent resident) and being granted citizenship (also known as naturalization).

If the minor is a Canadian citizen and requires a citizenship certificate, use the Application for a Citizenship Certificate under section 3 (CIT 0001).

Is the minor adopted?

If the adopted minor is a permanent resident of Canada, and under 18 years of age, this is the application form you should use to apply for a grant of citizenship on their behalf. If the adopted minor is not a permanent resident of Canada, you can submit an adoptive grant of citizenship application on their behalf instead.

See Adoption guide for a table outlining all the options.

If the adoptive minor is over 18 but is not eligible to apply for a 5(1) grant of citizenship, they might want to submit an adoptive grant of citizenship application instead.