Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) finalized 3,955 proof of citizenship applications in August, compared with 2,420 in July. The increase marks the strongest monthly result since the department began publishing figures for finalized applications in 2026.
A proof of citizenship application allows people who are already Canadian citizens, including those who acquired citizenship by descent, to obtain a citizenship certificate confirming their status. This differs from a citizenship grant, which allows eligible permanent residents to become Canadian citizens after meeting the requirements and taking the citizenship oath.
Demand for citizenship certificates has increased since Bill C-3 took effect on December 15, 2025. The legislation expanded citizenship by descent eligibility, allowing many people born outside Canada before that date who have a direct line to a Canadian ancestor to claim citizenship.
What The August Figures Show?
IRCC’s application processing system page, updated on October 20, reported that the department had issued 38,355 proof of citizenship certificates between January 1 and August 31, 2026.
The previous update reported 34,400 certificates issued by July 31. The difference between the two totals shows that IRCC finalized 3,955 applications in August.
Although IRCC describes these applications as finalized, its published figures refer to certificates issued since January 1, 2026. This indicates that the figures represent approved certificates.
| Period | Certificates Finalized | Applications Waiting At Period End |
| June | 3,040 | 99,520 |
| July | 2,420 | 121,800 |
| August | 3,955 | 135,965 |
Monthly figures are calculations based on IRCC’s cumulative totals.
August’s total was approximately 63% higher than July’s. However, the number of applications waiting for a decision also increased, reaching 135,965 by the end of August.
Citizenship Certificate Wait Estimates Remain High
The August 31 backlog is broadly consistent with IRCC’s separate tool for estimating how long applicants may wait for a decision.
As of October 9, the department estimated that new proof of citizenship applications could take 34 months. The same tool reported that the number of applicants waiting for a decision had fallen to 130,700, marking the first monthly decline since Bill C-3 took effect.
The two government sources follow different update schedules, so their figures may not always match. Future updates will help show whether the decline in the waiting queue continues.
Applicants living outside Canada and the United States may also need to allow extra time for delivery. IRCC advises applicants abroad to add three to four months for mailing.
Who Can Qualify For Faster Processing?
Not every applicant has to follow the regular waiting queue. IRCC may prioritize eligible applications when applicants have an urgent and documented need for their citizenship certificates.
Accepted reasons may include a job that requires proof of Canadian citizenship, admission to a school, or a death or serious illness in the family. Certain situations involving access to a pension, health care or social insurance benefits may also qualify.
Moreover, applicants must explain their circumstances in a letter and provide supporting documents showing why they need the certificate by a specific date. IRCC reviews each request individually, and approval is not guaranteed.
An immigration lawyer can also assess whether an applicant’s circumstances may qualify for expedited processing.
Does An Applicant Qualify For Urgent Processing?
Applicants can compare their circumstances with the criteria published by IRCC to understand whether they may qualify for urgent processing.
The department considers the reason for the request, the urgency of the situation and the supporting evidence. Applicants should provide clear documentation rather than assume that a personal deadline will automatically qualify.
Why Demand For Citizenship Certificates Remains High?
Bill C-3 removed the first-generation limit for people born before December 15, 2025. Previously, a child born outside Canada generally could not inherit citizenship through a Canadian parent who was also born abroad, subject to the rules and exceptions that applied.
Under the expanded rules, people with an unbroken line of descent from a Canadian grandparent, great-grandparent or an earlier ancestor may already be Canadian citizens, depending on their individual circumstances.
Many potential applicants live in the United States. This includes Americans whose French Canadian ancestors moved from Quebec to New England and other parts of the country.
A citizenship certificate confirms that a person holds Canadian citizenship. Applicants generally need this certificate before applying for a Canadian passport.
Proof Of Citizenship Versus Citizenship Grants
IRCC handles two different types of citizenship applications, each serving a separate purpose.
Proof Of Citizenship
Proof of citizenship is intended for people who are already Canadian citizens and need an official certificate confirming their status. The expanded citizenship by descent rules have increased demand for this service.
This category also includes Canadian citizens who need to replace a lost certificate and people born abroad to a Canadian parent who were already citizens before Bill C-3 took effect.
Citizenship Grants
A citizenship grant is for permanent residents who want to become Canadian citizens for the first time. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements, including applicable residence and other conditions, and take the citizenship oath when required.
Between January 1 and August 31, 2026, IRCC granted citizenship to 217,960 people. This equals approximately 24,640 new citizens in August alone, more than six times the number of proof of citizenship certificates issued during the same month.
The figures show that IRCC continues to handle substantial demand across both citizenship services. While August brought an increase in certificate approvals, the growing number of applications awaiting decisions highlights the continued pressure on the proof of citizenship system.
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