Chapter CP 10 - Proof of Citizenship

Section 4 - Undated commemorative certificates

4.1 This section is about

requests by holders of undated commemorative certificates who want the effective date of citizenship

4.2 Related Topic

See Fees and Refunds

4.3 Authorities

4.4 Context

Citizenship Certificates issued prior to February 15, 1977 bear the date on which a person became a citizen. Commemorative certificates issued between February 15, 1977 and September, 1980, do not have the effective date of citizenship. Commemoration documents issued since September, 1980 bear the effective date. The laminated citizenship certificate does not bear the effective date.

Persons frequently need proof of the date they became a citizen of Canada. Sometimes, these persons are in possession of a valid citizenship certificate (laminated card) which does not indicate the date on which citizenship became effective. Sometimes, these persons require a Record Letter indicating the citizenship effective date.

Applicants whose certificate might not have an effective date of citizenship must apply for a Search of Citizenship Records and pay the required fee.

If the search finds that the original certificate had no date, a refund will be issued.

See chapter on Search of Records.

4.5 No fee for confirmation only

If the applicant only needs confirmation of the effective date of citizenship, there is no fee.

There is no fee for confirmation of date for undated certificates issued between February 15, 1977, and September, 1980. The undated certificate can be a first-time certificate or a replacement certificate.

4.6 Refund fee if collected

If the applicant has paid the required fee for a Search of Citizenship records, CPC-Sydney requests that the fee to be refund to the applicant when the applicant was issued an undated certificate.

4.7 Record Letter and letter of confirmation not the same

A letter of confirmation is not the same as an official record letter which is sometimes the only document accepted by a foreign government. A letter of confirmation is a standard letter which may not be accepted by a foreign government.