My adopted child has permanent residence. How can I apply for their citizenship?
If your adopted child is already a permanent resident, you can apply for a grant of citizenship. The same application form and fees apply to permanent or non-permanent residents. Adoptive parents can apply for either
- a grant of citizenship for a minor child of a Canadian parent or
- a direct grant of citizenship for adopted people
If you’re an adoptive parent with permanent resident status and you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for your child’s citizenship when you apply for your own.
Applying through direct grant
If you choose to apply for your adopted child through a direct grant of citizenship for adopted people, they may be subject to the first-generation limit if they were adopted abroad on or after December 15, 2025.
You can pass on Canadian citizenship to your adopted child only if
- you are a Canadian citizen by birth in Canada or through naturalization at the time of adoption or
- you were born or adopted abroad and you had spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before your child’s adoption or
- a second adoptive parent is a Canadian citizen by birth in Canada or through naturalization
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