Can I Apply for My Children's Canadian Citizenship at the Same Time? (Family Applications)

One of the most common questions from families discovering their Canadian ancestry is whether everyone can apply at once. The answer is yes, and it is often the smartest approach.

You Do Not Need to Wait

A common misconception is that you need to receive your own citizenship certificate before your children can apply. This is not true. You and your children can submit applications simultaneously. IRCC processes each application independently.

Why? Because under Bill C-3, you are all already Canadian citizens (for those born before December 15, 2025). The application is for proof of citizenship, not a grant of citizenship. Your children's status does not depend on a piece of paper confirming yours.

How Family Group Applications Work

Same Ancestry Chain, Individual Forms

Every family member who wants a citizenship certificate needs their own CIT 0001 form. However, the ancestry documents are shared. Here is what you need:

Shared documents (one set for the whole family):

• Canadian ancestor's birth certificate
• All connecting birth and marriage certificates in the chain from the ancestor to you

Per-person documents:

• Individual's birth certificate
• Individual's citizenship photos (2 per person)
• Individual's CIT 0001 form
• $75 CAD fee per person

Mailing Together

You can mail all applications together in one package. Include a cover letter listing all applicants and their relationships. This helps IRCC process them as a group, though they will still be evaluated independently.

The 1,095-Day Rule for Younger Children

If you have children born on or after December 15, 2025, a different rule applies. For these children, you (as the Canadian parent) must have spent at least 1,095 days (approximately 3 years) physically present in Canada before the child's birth.

For children born before December 15, 2025, there is no residency requirement and no generational limit.

Cost Comparison

Applying individually for a family of four:

• Government fees: $75 x 4 = $300 CAD
• MaplePass Individual plans: $199 x 4 = $796 USD

Applying as a family with MaplePass:

• Government fees: $75 x 4 = $300 CAD (same, unavoidable)
• MaplePass Family+ plan: $399 USD (saves $397 compared to individual plans)

The Family and Family+ plans include individual CIT 0001 forms, cover letters, and document checklists for each member, all sharing the same ancestry research.

Tips for Family Applications

Order all certificates at once. You will need birth certificates for each family member from your state's vital records office. Order them all together to save time.

Coordinate photos. Everyone needs two passport-style photos. Take the whole family to the pharmacy at the same time.

One chain, many branches. If siblings are applying through the same Canadian ancestor, they share the same ancestry chain. You only need one set of ancestral documents.

Include a family cover letter. Explain the family relationship and list all applicants. This helps IRCC officers understand the group.

Start Your Family Application

MaplePass's Family and Family+ plans are built for exactly this scenario. Check your family's eligibility with our free 2-minute assessment, and build all applications together with shared ancestry research and individual forms for each member.