How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship for a Child Adopted Outside Canada
Canadian parents who adopt a child outside Canada may be able to use IRCC's direct citizenship grant process after the adoption is completed. The application has two parts and is submitted by mail.
CA Canada
Family ~ 10 min read
9 FAQ
Updated 2026-09-10
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A child born outside Canada and adopted by a Canadian citizen may qualify for a direct grant of Canadian citizenship. For a child under 18, at least one adoptive parent must have been a Canadian citizen at the time of adoption and must be able to pass citizenship to the child. The adoption must meet Canadian citizenship requirements, including being in the child's best interests, creating a genuine parent-child relationship and complying with applicable adoption laws. The IRCC application has two parts: Part 1 confirms the adoptive parent's citizenship and ability to pass it on, and Part 2 assesses the child and adoption. The current citizenship application fee for a minor is CAD 100. The application package is mailed to IRCC; the fee is paid online.
What you need
- A completed intercountry adoption that meets the applicable legal requirements before Canadian citizenship can be granted.
- At least one adoptive parent who was a Canadian citizen at the time of the adoption and is eligible to pass Canadian citizenship to the adopted child.
- Part 1 form CIT 0010, Confirmation of Canadian Citizenship of the Adoptive Parent(s).
- Part 1 document checklist CIT 0484.
- Two pieces of identification for the person applying on behalf of a child under 18, with the required identifying information and at least one photo ID.
- Proof of Canadian citizenship for the qualifying adoptive parent.
- Proof of payment of the citizenship application fee.
- Physical-presence evidence and form CIT 0555 when the Canadian adoptive parent is subject to the applicable 1,095-day physical-presence requirement.
- After IRCC approves Part 1, Part 2 form CIT 0012, Adoptee's Application and checklist CIT 0485.
- For Part 2, two pieces of identification for the adopted child, the final adoption order, adoption judgment or adoption certificate, and a Certificate of Conformity where applicable.
- Two identical citizenship photographs of the adopted child taken within the previous six months and meeting IRCC specifications.
- Birth, guardianship, name-change, translation or other supporting documents where applicable.
Eligibility
A child adopted outside Canada may qualify for citizenship through the direct grant provisions for adopted people if the child is not already a Canadian citizen, at least one adoptive parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of adoption and that parent can pass Canadian citizenship to the child. For an adoption involving a child under 18, IRCC must be satisfied that the adoption was in the child's best interests, created a genuine parent-child relationship, complied with the laws where the adoption took place and where the adoptive parents live, was not primarily intended to obtain Canadian citizenship or immigration status, and did not circumvent the legal requirements for international adoption. For adoptions finalized on or after December 15, 2025, a Canadian adoptive parent who was themselves born outside Canada to a Canadian citizen or obtained citizenship through the adoption provisions may need to prove at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the adoption, unless another qualifying adoptive parent or a Crown-servant exception applies.
How to do it
- Confirm the adoption route with your provincial or territorial adoption authority. Provinces and territories are responsible for adoption matters, while IRCC administers citizenship.
- Complete the adoption process. Canadian citizenship cannot be granted until the adoption has been finalized and satisfies the applicable legal requirements.
- Prepare Part 1. Complete CIT 0010 and CIT 0484 and gather identification, proof of the adoptive parent's Canadian citizenship and any physical-presence or Crown-service evidence required for the parent's situation.
- Pay the fee. For a child under 18, the current IRCC citizenship application fee is CAD 100. Pay the required fee through IRCC's online payment system and include the receipt with the application.
- Mail Part 1 to IRCC. Send the signed application and required documents to IRCC Digitization Centre – Adoptions, 3050 Wilson Avenue, New Waterford, NS B1H 5V8, Canada. IRCC recommends using a postal or courier service with tracking.
- Wait for the Part 1 decision. IRCC checks whether at least one adoptive parent is Canadian and can pass citizenship to the child. If Part 1 is approved, IRCC sends instructions explaining when and where to submit Part 2.
- Submit Part 2 only when instructed. Complete CIT 0012 and CIT 0485 and provide the child's identification, adoption document, Certificate of Conformity if applicable, two citizenship photographs and other required supporting documents. IRCC states that Part 2 must generally be submitted within three years of Part 1 approval.
- Respond to IRCC requests. IRCC may request additional adoption documents or other evidence while assessing whether the child meets the citizenship requirements.
- Receive the citizenship certificate if approved. After Part 2 is approved, the child is granted Canadian citizenship and receives either an electronic or paper citizenship certificate according to the selected option and delivery rules.
- Obtain the child's travel document. If the child is outside Canada, arrange the appropriate Canadian passport or travel document after citizenship is granted before planning the child's travel to Canada.
Who can use the direct citizenship route?
This procedure is for a child who was born outside Canada and adopted by a Canadian citizen. It is different from sponsoring an adopted child for permanent residence and later applying for citizenship through naturalization.
The direct adoption route is administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). At least one adoptive parent must have been a Canadian citizen when the adoption occurred and must be legally able to pass Canadian citizenship to the adopted child.
The adopted child does not become a Canadian citizen automatically simply because a Canadian citizen completed the adoption. IRCC must approve the direct grant of citizenship.
What requirements must the adoption meet?
For a child under 18, IRCC must be satisfied that the adoption was completed in the best interests of the child and created a genuine parent-child relationship. The adoption must comply with the laws of the country where it took place and the laws that apply where the adoptive parents live.
The adoption must not have been entered into primarily to obtain Canadian citizenship or immigration status, and it must not circumvent the legal requirements governing international adoptions.
Because adoption is a provincial and territorial responsibility in Canada, prospective adoptive parents should work with the appropriate provincial or territorial adoption authority. Citizenship requirements are federal, but completing the citizenship process does not replace the adoption requirements imposed by the province, territory or foreign country.
How the December 2025 citizenship rules affect adopted children
Canada changed its citizenship-by-descent rules on December 15, 2025. These changes are particularly important when the Canadian adoptive parent was also born or adopted outside Canada.
For an adoption finalized on or after that date, a Canadian parent who was born outside Canada to a Canadian citizen, or who received citizenship through the direct adoption provisions, may need to demonstrate that they accumulated at least 1,095 days in Canada before the child's adoption.
The 1,095 days do not need to be consecutive. IRCC states that partial days in Canada count as full calendar days for this purpose. Evidence may include employment or education records, residential records, passports and travel records, or government records.
This physical-presence requirement may not apply where another adoptive parent can pass citizenship without it or where an applicable Crown-servant exception is met. IRCC assesses the parent's citizenship history as part of Part 1.
Documents for Part 1: confirming the Canadian parent
The citizenship process has two stages. In Part 1, IRCC determines whether at least one adoptive parent is Canadian and eligible to pass citizenship to the adopted child.
The main form is CIT 0010, accompanied by document checklist CIT 0484. For a child under 18, the parent, legal guardian or eligible non-Canadian parent may apply on the child's behalf in the circumstances permitted by IRCC.
Part 1 generally requires identification for the person applying, proof of the adoptive parent's Canadian citizenship, the fee receipt and any additional documents needed for the family's circumstances. If the 1,095-day rule applies, IRCC instructs the parent to complete the applicable physical-presence form and provide evidence supporting the time spent in Canada.
How much does the citizenship application cost?
IRCC's current citizenship fee list sets the fee for a minor under 18 at CAD 100. The fee is based on the adopted person's age when the application is submitted, not their age when the adoption occurred.
The fee is paid through IRCC's payment system. Keep and include the official payment receipt with the application package. An incomplete payment can cause the package to be returned.
Where do you submit the application?
The citizenship application itself is a paper application. Although the fee is paid online and application status can later be checked online, the completed adoption citizenship package is mailed to IRCC.
The current mailing destination published by IRCC is IRCC Digitization Centre – Adoptions, 3050 Wilson Avenue, New Waterford, NS B1H 5V8, Canada. IRCC recommends using a mailing or courier service that provides a tracking number.
Make sure the required forms are signed and dated. Missing signatures, required documents or fees can cause the application to be returned or delayed.
What happens after Part 1 is approved?
IRCC sends a decision letter after reviewing Part 1. If it is approved, the letter provides instructions for submitting Part 2: the Adoptee's Application. Do not send Part 2 prematurely; follow the instructions in the Part 1 approval letter.
IRCC's application guide states that applicants generally have three years from the date Part 1 is approved to submit Part 2. This accommodates adoptions that take longer to complete.
Documents for Part 2: proving the child's adoption and identity
Part 2 uses CIT 0012 and document checklist CIT 0485. IRCC assesses the adopted child's eligibility and the adoption itself at this stage.
The current checklist requires two pieces of the adopted person's identification and an accepted adoption document such as a final adoption order, adoption judgment or adoption certificate. The adoption document must provide the identifying information required by IRCC. A Certificate of Conformity must also be provided when applicable.
Other supporting records can include the child's original birth certificate showing the legal parents at birth and, for an orphaned child where applicable, the biological parents' death certificates authenticated by the appropriate local authority.
You must also provide two identical citizenship photographs taken within the previous six months and meeting IRCC's citizenship photograph specifications.
What if the adoption documents are not in English or French?
Documents that are not in English or French must be accompanied by the required translation. IRCC requires a translation into English or French and, where the translator is not a Canadian certified translator, an affidavit confirming the translator's language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation.
The applicant and members of the applicant's family cannot translate the documents. Using an unacceptable translation can delay processing.
What is different for an adoption involving Quebec?
Quebec has additional rules because adoption matters are governed by Quebec law. For an adoption from a country that is not a party to the Hague Convention, recognition by a Quebec court may be required after the adopted person arrives in Quebec.
IRCC nevertheless states that citizenship may be granted before arrival when a full adoption has been completed abroad, provided the central adoption authority of the Government of Quebec first confirms to IRCC that the adoption meets Quebec's legal requirements.
How long does IRCC processing take?
IRCC does not publish one fixed processing period that applies to every adopted-child citizenship case. Processing time varies depending on the application's complexity, completeness, verification requirements, the applicant's response time and IRCC's workload.
If IRCC needs more evidence during Part 2, it can request additional documents. A missing or inadequate adoption order can delay the application or lead to refusal.
What happens after the child becomes a Canadian citizen?
When IRCC approves Part 2, the adopted child is granted Canadian citizenship and receives a citizenship certificate. Depending on the selected certificate type and the child's location, this may be an electronic certificate or a paper certificate.
If the child is outside Canada, citizenship approval alone is not the final travel step. IRCC advises parents not to plan the child's return to Canada until the citizenship application is approved. The child must have the appropriate passport or travel document to travel to Canada.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming an overseas adoption automatically makes the child Canadian.
- Using the direct citizenship route without first checking whether the Canadian parent can pass citizenship under the current descent rules.
- Ignoring the 1,095-day physical-presence requirement when it applies to a Canadian parent born or adopted abroad.
- Sending Part 2 before IRCC instructs you to do so.
- Failing to include the final adoption order, judgment, certificate or other required adoption evidence.
- Submitting translations prepared by the applicant or a family member.
- Using photographs that do not meet IRCC's citizenship specifications.
- Forgetting to sign and date the forms or include proof of the correct fee payment.
- Planning travel to Canada before citizenship is approved and the child's required passport or travel document is available.
Frequently asked questions
Does a child adopted outside Canada automatically become a Canadian citizen?
No. A foreign-born child adopted by a Canadian citizen is not automatically Canadian simply because the adoption is completed. The child must qualify for and receive a direct grant of citizenship, or use the permanent residence and later naturalization route.
How much is the Canadian citizenship fee for an adopted child under 18?
IRCC's current fee for a citizenship application for a minor under 18 is CAD 100. The applicable fee is based on the child's age when the application is submitted.
Can I apply online for citizenship for a child adopted abroad?
The direct adoption citizenship application is submitted as a paper package by mail to IRCC. The required fee is paid online, and application status can be checked online after IRCC accepts the application for processing.
What are Part 1 and Part 2 of the adopted child citizenship application?
Part 1 confirms that at least one adoptive parent is Canadian and can pass citizenship to the child. After Part 1 is approved, Part 2 assesses the adopted child's identity, adoption and eligibility for citizenship.
Does a Canadian parent born outside Canada need three years of physical presence before adopting?
For certain adoptions finalized on or after December 15, 2025, a Canadian adoptive parent who was born abroad to a Canadian citizen or obtained citizenship through the adoption provisions must demonstrate at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the adoption. Exceptions may apply, including where another adoptive parent can pass citizenship or certain Crown-service rules apply.
What adoption document does IRCC require for Part 2?
The current Part 2 checklist accepts supporting documents such as a final adoption order, adoption judgment or adoption certificate. The document must contain the identifying information required by IRCC. Additional adoption documents or a Certificate of Conformity may be required depending on the case.
How soon after Part 1 approval must I submit Part 2?
IRCC's application guide states that applicants have three years from the date Part 1 is approved to submit Part 2.
Can a family member translate foreign adoption documents for IRCC?
No. IRCC does not accept translations completed by the applicant or members of the applicant's family. Documents not in English or French must meet IRCC's translation and, where required, affidavit rules.
Can the adopted child travel to Canada immediately after the adoption?
Not through the direct citizenship route simply because the adoption is complete. IRCC advises parents to wait until the child's citizenship application is approved and the child has the required Canadian passport or other appropriate travel document before planning travel to Canada.
Official sources
IRCC - Canadian citizenship for your adopted child: About the processIRCC - Canadian citizenship for your adopted child: Who can applyIRCC - Canadian citizenship for your adopted child: Before you applyIRCC - Canadian citizenship for your adopted child: How to applyIRCC - Canadian citizenship for your adopted child: After you applyIRCC - Application for Canadian Citizenship - Adopted personIRCC - Guide CIT 0009, Part 1 for a person adopted by a Canadian citizenIRCC - Guide CIT 0014, Part 2 Adoptee's ApplicationIRCC - Document Checklist CIT 0485, Adoption Part 2IRCC - Citizenship and immigration application fee listIRCC - Citizenship law and adoptionIRCC - Changes to Canadian citizenship rules in 2025Related procedures
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