What to expect during your Canadian citizenship ceremony

For your last step in becoming naturalized as a Canadian citizen, you will attend a citizenship ceremony.

At the Canadian citizenship ceremony, you will sing the national anthem and recite the oath of citizenship.

Upon completing the ceremony, you’ll become a Canadian citizen, gaining all associated rights and responsibilities.

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What does the ceremony entail?

While citizenship ceremonies can vary slightly person-to-person, you can generally expect to

The ceremony may also feature special guests or guest speakers, such as elected officials (in-person only), Indigenous participants, community members, and performers.

Where will the ceremony take place?

Citizenship ceremonies are conducted either

The format of your citizenship ceremony is determined by IRCC and specified in your official invitation. Should you wish to attend in an alternate format, you may request to reschedule your ceremony.

The citizenship ceremony invitation

In addition to the ceremony format, your invitation will include the following details pertaining to your ceremony:

• The date it will take place;
• The time you should arrive and the expected overall duration time;
• The physical location (in-person ceremonies) or a videoconference link (virtual ceremonies);
• A permission release and consent form for photos and videos (in-person ceremonies);
• The language in which it will occur (mostly French, mostly English, or bilingual); and
• Your seat number and OAC form (for virtual ceremonies only); and
• How to reschedule your ceremony if needed.

You will receive your invitation in one of three ways: by email (if provided in your application), by phone (if no email is on file), or by mail (if they can’t reach you otherwise).

While wait time for invitations vary person-to-person, IRCC notes that you will receive your invitation at least one week before the date of your scheduled ceremony.

You can check the status of your application through IRCC’s Application Status Tracker tool—but only once you’ve received your acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter or email.

What to bring to the citizenship ceremony

IRCC expects you to bring the following documents to your citizenship ceremony:

• Your ceremony invitation;
• Your PR card (even if expired) or your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (Copper);
• Two pieces of identification that features your photo and signature;
  • You may, among other things, use your PR card, foreign passport or ID, and/or Canadian health card or driver’s license to fulfil this requirement;
• Your record of landing, if you became a permanent resident before June 28, 2002, and still have it;
• A pair of scissors to cut up your PR card (virtual ceremonies only); and
• A signed copy of the permission release and consent form (if applicable).

Optionally, you may also bring a water bottle, a mobile phone or camera, and a holy book of your choice, if you wish to use one to swear the oath of citizenship.

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In-person citizenship ceremonies

At your designated time and location, you will be directed to the registration table for identity and Canadian citizenship eligibility verification, and to submit your PR card and signed consent form.

You are entitled to have your identity verified in a private room if you have a face covering or medical mask—but you must remove it temporarily.

Following registration, you will wait in the citizenship room until all citizenship candidates are registered. The wait time depends on the number of candidates attending.

Once all citizenship candidates have registered, a presiding official (such as a citizenship judge) and an IRCC official will have you take the oath of citizenship and sing the national anthem.

During the ceremony, you will be asked to sign the OAC form to confirm you take the oath.

At the end of the ceremony, you will receive your citizenship certificate (if in paper form), be congratulated, and officially become a Canadian citizen.

A reception may be held, and members of the media may be present to capture the occasion.

In-person ceremony rules

If you are attending an in-person ceremony, you will be required to abide by the following rules:

• Avoid wearing scented products such as perfume or cologne;
• Stand when taking the oath of citizenship and during the singing of “O Canada”; and
• Avoid taking pictures until the end of the ceremony upon being informed it is okay to do so—for personal use only.

Virtual citizenship ceremonies

On the date and time indicated in your invitation, use the link provided to attend the ceremony via the videoconference specified. Your invitation will include your seat number—replace your screen name with this number to protect your privacy.

Before joining, it is important to make sure your device has a reliable internet connection and a working camera and audio system.

You will be placed in a “waiting room” until you are let into the ceremony. This can take up to 30+ minutes, particularly if you are part of a larger ceremony where 100+ citizenship candidates are present.

During this phase, you will be invited to a private room to verify your identity (at which point you must temporarily remove any face coverings or medical masks), your eligibility for citizenship will be reviewed, and you will be observed as you cut up your PR card.

Once all candidates are registered, you will be let in to the virtual ceremony room, where a presiding official and an IRCC official will oversee the video and administer the oath—as well as the singing of “O Canada.”

Once the ceremony concludes, you will sign and submit the OAC included in your invitation and will be informed of when you can expect to receive your Canadian citizenship certificate.

Virtual ceremony rules

IRCC expects you to abide by the following rules pertaining to virtual ceremonies:

• Do not share your videoconference link with anyone;
• Use an authentic background—that is, remove any virtual backgrounds;
• Ensure your head and shoulders are visible in the frame;
• Be in a quiet area free of noises or disruptions;
• Stabilize your device and avoid attending while doing any distracting or dangerous activities (such as operating a vehicle);
• Refrain from taking photos or recordings;
  • You may take photos/videos at the end of the ceremony (for personal use), but not during registration or while the ceremony is taking place.
• Remain seated while the ceremony is in progress, including during the oath taking and singing of the national anthem.

You are required to remain visible on screen for the entirety of the citizenship ceremony.

Your guests can be present in the room with you permitted they do not join on a separate device or disturb the proceedings in any way.

Both ceremony types: IRCC expects you to act and dress in an appropriate and respectful manner, and recommends you wear business attire; traditional or religious dress and head coverings are permitted.

You are permitted to bring friends, family members, and children to the ceremony.

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The oath of citizenship

Those aged 14 and older are required to take the oath of citizenship; if under the age of 14, taking the oath is not required.

Minors aged 14 to 17 are encouraged to be accompanied by the parent or guardian who submitted their application, to help them answer questions.

The oath will be administered in both English and French. You may recite it in the language you’re most comfortable with, though you’re encouraged to say it in both.

IRCC recommends practicing the oath in one or both of Canada’s official languages prior to attending the ceremony.

As previously mentioned, you must remain seated throughout the taking of the oath if attending virtually; if at an in-person ceremony, you are required to stand until completion.

If you need accommodation for the oath, you can contact IRCC with a detailed explanation of what you require.

If eligible, you can request a waiver to exempt you from the taking of the oath.

Canadian citizenship certificates

The Canadian citizenship certificate serves as official proof of your Canadian citizenship and indicates the date it was granted.

The Canadian government stopped issuing citizenship cards in 2012. Anyone who obtains Canadian citizenship from 2012 onward will receive one of the following:

• A paper citizenship certificate; or
• An electronic certificate (e-certificate).

When you submit your citizenship application, you choose your preference —this is then confirmed at the ceremony.

When and how you get your certificate is dependent on which type of certificate you want and the type of ceremony you attended:

* If you have not received your certificate within six weeks, you may contact IRCC to request a replacement.

Once you get your certificate, check that the personal information on the front and back is accurate.

If an error was made in the issuance of the certificate, you may request a new one for free within 90 days.

If you opt for a paper certificate, do not laminate it or place a plastic coating on it. This may damage the certificate.

The citizenship certificate does not serve as a travel document. If you intend to travel outside Canada, you should apply for a Canadian passport.

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Law Firm