The final step to becoming a naturalized Canadian citizen is attending a citizenship ceremony. Ceremonies may be held virtually by video conference, which is the most common format, or in person at a local Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada office.
Every citizenship ceremony includes three core elements:
- taking the oath of citizenship;
- singing the national anthem;
- signing the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form.
After the ceremony, the applicant receives a citizenship certificate, which is official proof of Canadian citizenship.
Oath of citizenship
Applicants are encouraged to practise the oath before the ceremony.
Only people aged 14 and older are expected to take the oath. During the ceremony, the oath is administered in both English and French. Applicants may recite it in the language they are comfortable with.
The format affects how the oath is taken:
- virtual ceremony: the applicant must stay seated while reciting the oath;
- in-person ceremony: the applicant must stand.
Applicants may request accommodation if they need help taking the oath, or request a waiver if they meet the eligibility criteria for an exemption.
Citizenship ceremony invitation
IRCC sends an invitation before the citizenship ceremony. The invitation explains whether the ceremony is virtual or in person. The format may be changed at the applicant’s request.
The invitation includes:
- the ceremony date, arrival time, and expected duration;
- the physical location for an in-person ceremony or videoconference link for a virtual ceremony;
- the ceremony language: mostly English, mostly French, or bilingual;
- the seat number and OAC form for virtual ceremonies;
- a permission release and consent form for photos and videos;
- instructions for rescheduling if required.
The invitation is sent at least one week before the ceremony. It may be sent by email if an email address was provided, by phone if no email is on file, or by mail if IRCC cannot reach the applicant otherwise.
What to have ready
For both virtual and in-person ceremonies, applicants should have:
- the citizenship ceremony invitation;
- a permanent residence card, whether valid or expired, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence;
- two pieces of ID, with one showing a photo and signature;
- acceptable ID such as a PR card, foreign passport, health card, or driver’s licence;
- Record of Landing, only if the applicant became a permanent resident before June 28, 2008;
- a signed permission release and consent form.
Applicants may also bring:
- a water bottle;
- a mobile phone or camera;
- a holy book if they wish to use one while swearing the oath.
For a virtual ceremony, applicants must also have:
- the OAC form;
- the seat number;
- scissors to cut up the PR card.
Virtual ceremony process
Applicants can attend a virtual ceremony using a laptop, desktop, tablet, or mobile phone, as long as the device has a reliable internet connection, working camera, and audio system.
Applicants using a web browser should use a compatible browser such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox.
At the scheduled time, the applicant joins through the videoconference link in the invitation. To protect privacy, the applicant may use the seat number as the display name.
After joining, the applicant enters a waiting room. For larger ceremonies with more than 100 candidates, waiting room admission may take up to 30 minutes.
During virtual registration, IRCC privately verifies the applicant’s identity, reviews citizenship eligibility, and watches as the applicant cuts up the PR card.
After all candidates are registered, applicants enter the virtual ceremony room. The group takes the oath of citizenship and sings the national anthem.
IRCC informs applicants when their certificate will be available. After the ceremony ends, the applicant must sign and submit the OAC form from the invitation by email to IRCC. The form must be signed on the same day the oath is taken.
In-person ceremony process
At an in-person ceremony, applicants arrive at the designated time and location and are directed to the registration table.
Officials verify identity, confirm citizenship eligibility, and collect the PR card and signed consent form.
If the applicant wears a face covering or medical mask, they may request a private room for the identity check, but they must remove the covering briefly.
After registration, a presiding official, such as a citizenship judge, and an IRCC official lead the formal ceremony. This includes the oath of citizenship and the national anthem.
Applicants sign the OAC form during the ceremony to confirm they took the oath.
At the end of the ceremony, the applicant officially becomes a Canadian citizen. If the certificate is issued in paper form, it is given at that time. A reception may take place afterward, and media may be present.
Ceremony rules
IRCC rules vary by format. Failure to follow the rules may cause the ceremony to be paused, delayed, or rescheduled.
Rules for both virtual and in-person ceremonies include:
- dress appropriately, including business attire or traditional, religious, or ceremonial clothing;
- head or face coverings, medical masks, and red and white colours are permitted;
- behave respectfully, appropriately, and safely;
- do not present personal or political views;
- do not promote a business or sell a product.
Virtual ceremony rules include:
- keep the videoconference link private;
- family and friends may be in the room but cannot join from a separate device;
- use a real background rather than a virtual one;
- position the camera so the head and shoulders are visible;
- join from a quiet place with no background noise or disruptions;
- keep the device steady;
- avoid distracting or dangerous activities, including operating a vehicle;
- do not take photos, videos, or recordings during registration or the ceremony;
- photos and videos may only be taken at the end of the ceremony for personal use;
- stay seated throughout the ceremony, including during the oath and anthem;
- remain visible on screen for the whole ceremony.
In-person ceremony rules include:
- do not wear scented products, including perfume or cologne;
- stand while taking the oath and singing the national anthem.
Any photos taken of the applicant and family during the ceremony must be for personal use only.
Citizenship certificate
The citizenship certificate is official proof of Canadian citizenship and shows the date citizenship was granted.
Applicants receive either a paper certificate or an electronic certificate, depending on the preference selected in the application. The certificate type is confirmed during the ceremony.
| Certificate type | Ceremony type | Wait time | Method of receipt |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-certificate | Any | Within 5 business days of IRCC receiving the OAC form | Download through IRCC Portal account |
| Paper certificate | In-person | No wait | Given at the ceremony after signing the OAC form |
| Paper certificate | Virtual | Within 2–4 weeks of IRCC receiving the OAC form | Mailed to a Canadian address |
If the citizenship certificate contains an error, the applicant may request a new one for free within 90 days.
Paper certificates should not be laminated or coated in plastic because this may damage them.
The citizenship certificate proves citizenship but is not an international travel document. To travel outside Canada, a Canadian passport is required.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
