Your Canadian Citizenship Ceremony: How to Prepare and What to Expect

The final step in becoming a naturalized Canadian citizen is attending your citizenship ceremony. This important event officially marks your transition from permanent resident to Canadian citizen.

Citizenship ceremonies are conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and may be held either virtually through a video conference (the most common format) or in person at a local IRCC office.

No matter which format you attend, every citizenship ceremony includes three essential components:

• Taking the Oath of Citizenship.

• Singing the Canadian national anthem.

• Signing the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship (OAC) form.

Once the ceremony is complete, you will receive a Canadian citizenship certificate, which serves as your official proof of citizenship.

Understanding the Oath of Citizenship

Before attending your ceremony, IRCC encourages applicants to practice the Oath of Citizenship.

Applicants who are 14 years of age or older are required to take the oath.

During the ceremony, the oath is presented in both English and French, and you may recite it in whichever language you are most comfortable using.

The way you take the oath depends on the ceremony format:

• Virtual ceremony: You must remain seated while reciting the oath.

• In-person ceremony: You are required to stand while taking the oath.

If you need assistance because of a disability or another circumstance, you may request accommodation. Applicants who qualify under IRCC's eligibility requirements may also request a waiver from taking the oath.

Your Citizenship Ceremony Invitation

IRCC will send you an invitation before your citizenship ceremony. The invitation confirms whether your ceremony will take place virtually or in person, which will determine how you should prepare.

Although you may request a change to the ceremony format, the invitation generally includes:

• The ceremony date, arrival time, and expected duration.

• The ceremony location (for in-person ceremonies) or the video conference link (for virtual ceremonies).

• The language of the ceremony (English, French, or bilingual).

• Your seat number and OAC form (for virtual ceremonies only).

• A permission release and consent form for photographs and videos.

• Instructions for rescheduling the ceremony if necessary.

IRCC typically sends the invitation at least one week before the ceremony using:

• Email (if an email address was provided with your application).

• Telephone (if no email address is available).

• Regular mail (if IRCC cannot contact you by other methods).

Documents and Items to Bring to Your Ceremony

Whether your ceremony is virtual or in person, IRCC expects you to have the following:

• Your citizenship ceremony invitation.

• Your Permanent Resident (PR) Card (valid or expired), or your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).

• Two pieces of identification, including one showing both your photograph and signature.

Acceptable identification may include:

• Permanent Resident Card.

• Foreign passport.

• Health card.

• Driver's licence.

If you became a permanent resident before June 28, 2008, you should also bring your Record of Landing.

You must also have a signed copy of the permission release and consent form.

Applicants may additionally bring:

• A bottle of water.

• A mobile phone or camera.

• A holy book of their choice if they wish to use one while taking the oath.

Applicants attending a virtual ceremony must also have:

• Their Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship (OAC) form.

• Their assigned seat number.

• A pair of scissors to cut up their PR card during the ceremony.

What Happens During a Virtual Citizenship Ceremony?

Applicants may join a virtual ceremony using a:

• Laptop

• Desktop computer

• Tablet

• Mobile phone

The device must have:

• A stable internet connection.

• A working microphone.

• A functioning camera.

Those joining through a web browser should use a compatible browser such as:

• Google Chrome

• Microsoft Edge

• Mozilla Firefox

At the scheduled time, applicants should access the ceremony using the video conference link included in the invitation.

If preferred, applicants may use their assigned seat number instead of their name to protect their privacy.

After joining, participants are placed in a virtual waiting room until admitted. For larger ceremonies involving more than 100 applicants, the wait may last up to 30 minutes.

During registration, an IRCC official will:

• Verify your identity.

• Confirm your eligibility for Canadian citizenship.

• Observe you while you cut up your PR card.

Once registration is complete for all participants, everyone will enter the virtual ceremony room to:

• Take the Oath of Citizenship.

• Sing the Canadian national anthem.

IRCC will also explain when your citizenship certificate will become available.

After the ceremony, you must:

• Sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship (OAC) form on the same day you take the oath.

• Email the signed form back to IRCC.

What Happens During an In-Person Citizenship Ceremony?

When attending an in-person ceremony, arrive at the time and location specified in your invitation.

Upon arrival, you will proceed to the registration table, where IRCC officials will:

• Verify your identity.

• Confirm your citizenship eligibility.

• Collect your PR card.

• Collect your signed consent form.

Applicants wearing a medical mask or face covering may request a private room for identity verification. However, they will still be asked to remove the covering briefly for identification purposes.

After registration, the official ceremony begins.

A presiding official, such as a Citizenship Judge, together with an IRCC representative, will lead the ceremony, including:

• The Oath of Citizenship.

• The singing of Canada's national anthem.

During the ceremony, you will also sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form to confirm that you have taken the oath.

Once the ceremony concludes, you officially become a Canadian citizen.

Applicants receiving a paper citizenship certificate will generally receive it immediately after the ceremony.

Some ceremonies may also include a reception, where members of the media could be present to cover the event.

Citizenship Ceremony Rules

IRCC requires all participants to follow specific rules during the citizenship ceremony.

Some rules apply to every ceremony, while others depend on whether the ceremony is virtual or held in person.

Understanding these requirements before your ceremony can help ensure the process runs smoothly.

Failure to follow IRCC's instructions may result in your ceremony being:

• Paused.

• Delayed.

• Rescheduled.

Rules are provided for:

• Both virtual and in-person ceremonies.

• Virtual ceremonies only.

• In-person ceremonies only.

Receiving Your Canadian Citizenship Certificate

Your Canadian citizenship certificate serves as your official proof of Canadian citizenship and displays the date on which citizenship was granted.

Depending on the option selected in your citizenship application, you will receive either:

• A paper citizenship certificate; or

• An electronic citizenship certificate (e-certificate).

The timing and delivery method depend on both the certificate format and whether you attended a virtual or in-person ceremony.

E-Certificate

Ceremony Type: Virtual or In-Person

• Available within five business days after IRCC receives your signed OAC form.

• Downloaded through your IRCC Portal account.

Paper Certificate – In-Person Ceremony

• Issued immediately after the ceremony.

• Handed to you once you have signed the OAC form.

Paper Certificate – Virtual Ceremony

• Mailed to your Canadian address.

• Usually arrives within 2 to 4 weeks after IRCC receives your signed OAC form.

If Your Citizenship Certificate Contains an Error

If you notice an error on your citizenship certificate, you can request a replacement free of charge within 90 days.

Applicants should avoid laminating or covering a paper certificate with plastic, as this may damage the document.

It is also important to remember that a citizenship certificate is proof of Canadian citizenship, but it is not a travel document.

If you plan to travel internationally after becoming a Canadian citizen, you must first apply for a Canadian passport.