Do you have Canadian ancestry? Under Canada’s new citizenship law, you may now be eligible for dual citizenship and a Canadian passport by ancestry, even if you were born in the United States. Even if your grandparents or parents never lived in Canada, and even if you were born outside the country, you may still be eligible for Canadian citizenship through ancestry.
After getting proof of Canadian citizenship, eligible individuals can apply for a Canadian passport and enjoy the rights and benefits associated with it. Citizenship by descent may apply to biological children and adopted children, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
The new Canadian citizenship law could benefit millions of Americans with Canadian ancestry, particularly in New England, where an estimated three million people may now qualify. This is due to the mass migration from Canada to America in the years 1870 to 1930.
How Dual Citizenship Can Benefit Americans
If you become a dual citizen, you’ll be able to enjoy benefits from both the United States and Canada. You’ll be able to enter Canada freely and even move there permanently if you like. As a U.S-Canada citizen, you can also attend Canadian schools, use the public healthcare system, vote in Canadian elections, pass citizenship to your children, and sponsor eligible family members.
How do you apply for proof of Canadian citizenship? You’ll need documents that connect each generation in your family tree. These may include birth certificates for every member in the generational chain, naturalization records, and other historical documents. Make sure you have a valid U.S. passport and other identity documents. The processing time for dual citizenship currently takes about 11 months. If you’re considering applying, it may be best to begin gathering records related to your Canadian ancestry as early as possible to help support your application.
