Free CIT0058E - Application for a Search of Citizenship Records - Canada

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada

CITIZENSHIP

Table of Contents
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Citizenship Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 How to Complete the Form . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Where to Send Your Application. . . . . . . 10 What happens next? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Canada
Application for a Search of Citizenship Records

Forms:
Application for a Search of Citizenship Records (CIT 0058) Receipt (IMM 5401)

This application is made available free by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and is not to be sold to applicants.
Également disponible en français

CIT 0058E (02-2009)

Contact Information
Web site
For more information on the programs offered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, visit our Web site at www.cic.gc.ca. For some types of applications you can inform us of a change of address and find out what is happening with your application through on-line services on the Web site.

Within Canada
If you are in Canada, you can also phone our Call Centre. An automated telephone service is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day and is easy to use if you have a touch-tone phone. You can listen to pre-recorded information on many programs, order application forms, and for some types of applications the automated service can even update you on the status of your case. When you call, have a pen and paper ready to record the information you need. Listen carefully to the instructions and press the number for the selection you want. At any time during your call, you may press * (the star key) to repeat a message, 9 to return to the main menu, 0 to speak to an agent, or 8 to end your call. If you have a rotary phone, wait for an agent to answer your call. If you need to speak to an agent, you must call Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time.

From anywhere in Canada, call

1-888-242-2100 (toll-free)

Using a text telephone? Call our TTY service from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time at: 1-888-576-8502 (toll-free).

Outside Canada
If you are outside Canada, you can contact a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate. Consult our Web site for addresses, phone numbers and Web site addresses of our visa offices.

This is not a legal document. For legal information, refer to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations or the Citizenship Act and Regulations, as applicable.
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

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Application for a Search of Citizenship Records

Overview
This application can be used to request a search of Canadian citizenship records to verify naturalization or citizenship information. In response to your application, you will receive a: No Record Letter, if no record of the person is found; or Record Letter detailing how and when the person became a Canadian citizen, or if a pending Canadian Citizenship application is in process. Note: Record Letters are issued for specific reasons and are valid for a limited time period only. These letters cannot be used as proof of citizenship. These letters cannot be used to cross international borders including the Canadian/U.S.A. border. The only official proof of citizenship is a citizenship certificate. For information on how to get a citizenship certificate, contact the Call Centre or visit our Web site. · ·

Before you apply
Read the information contained in this guide carefully. If your application is completed incorrectly or you fail to provide the necessary documents, your application will not be processed and will be returned to you.

What you must send with this form
Fee See the Citizenship Fees section of this guide for information on the current fee and method of payment. The fee is not refundable. If you have printed this application from the Web site, a receipt is not included. You must order an original receipt as shown in the Citizenship Fees section. Documents Whether you are applying for information about yourself, or about another person, you must send a clear and legible photocopy of two (2) pieces of your personal identification to show your identity. For example, your driver's licence, and your health insurance card. If you are applying for information regarding another person, you may have to provide clear and legible photocopies of other documents, such as proof of your relationship to that person and/or proof of death.

Application for a Search of Citizenship Records

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Citizenship Fees
Calculating your fees
Use the table below to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid. Fees must be included with this application.
Processing Free Search of citizenship records Number of persons Amount per person x $75 Total Payment: Amount due

Explanation of fees and refunds
The following table describes the fees that are required and if they are refundable. All payment must be made in Canadian funds.
Type of Fee Processing Fee Amount $75 for each person Refundable? Non-refundable once processing has begun, regardless of the final decision.

Note: If you are applying for a citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) at the same time as this application, you do not have to pay for a search of citizenship records.

Incorrect fee payment
Incorrect fee payments may delay processing your application.
Payment issue No fee included CIC will... return your application. Note: processing of your application will only start after you return your application with requested fees. inform you of how much to pay and how to pay. Note: Processing of your application will only continue after you provide the missing fees. start processing your application and send you a refund as soon as possible. Note: you do not have to request a refund, it will be done automatically.

Insufficient fees included

Overpayment

Payment method options
Preferred method of payment
Payment of fees on-line is the preferred method of payment for both inside and outside Canada.

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Application for a Search of Citizenship Records

Inside and outside Canada ­ On-line fee payment
Availability For clients located inside and outside of Canada. Resources required You can pay your fees on-line if you have: · · · · Instructions Follow these step-by-step instructions to pay using the Internet.
Step 1 Action Go to the CIC Web site at www.cic.gc.ca · Select Pay a Processing Fee in the I need to... section on the right hand side of the page. · Select Pay fees on-line. Follow the on-line instructions · Select Citizenship · Select the appropriate citizenship business line · Insert the Quantity of applicants · Select Submit and continue with the payment process following the instructions At the end, click on the button to print the CIC official receipt. Do not exit without printing the receipt (page)! 3 4 Fill in the Payer Information Section by hand. Attach the bottom portion (copy 2) of this receipt to your completed application.

a credit card (Visa, Master Card or American Express) access to a computer with an Internet connection a valid email address access to a printer (you will need to print the receipt)

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Proof of payment The receipt printed off of the Internet in step 2 of the instructions above will serve as your proof of payment.

Inside Canada only ­ Fee payment at financial institutions
If you do not wish to pay using the Internet, payment must be made at a financial institution in Canada. The financial institution will let you know what method of payment it accepts. There is no banking charge to pay at a financial institution. The only acceptable forms of payment inside Canada are on-line or through a financial institution. If you send any other form of payment inside Canada your application will be returned. Availability For clients located inside Canada only. Resources required A payment receipt form (IMM 5401) included in this application or that can be ordered on-line.

Application for a Search of Citizenship Records

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Instructions Follow these step-by-step instructions to pay at a financial institution in Canada.
Step 1 2 Action Calculate the total fee amount to be paid using the chart Calculating your fees at the beginning of this section. Fill out one (1) payment receipt form (IMM 5401). An original payment receipt form (pink and white) must be used. A photocopy is not acceptable.

See Obtaining an original receipt form ­ inside Canada in this section. 3 Insert the total amount paid on line 09 Citizenship or Immigration Services Fees. Do not complete the top two portions of the receipt. These will be completed by the financial institution. Fill in the Payer Information section on the back of the payment receipt form. Do you already have an open file and know the client identification number (client ID) that we have assigned to you? If yes, enter the number in the box provided for that purpose. If no, leave that box empty. Bring the receipt form and your payment to the teller (cashier) at the financial institution. Do not present your application, only your receipt form. The teller (cashier) will : stamp and enter the amount paid in the upper two portions of the receipt form, and give you the top two portions of the form. Do not make payment using the automated teller machines or on a financial institution website. The following list indicates what you should be doing with the different parts of the IMM 5401 receipt. Copy 1 (top): Keep for your records. Copy 2 (middle): Attach to your completed application. Copy 3 (bottom): The financial institution will keep the bottom part.

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Proof of payment Completed payment receipt form (Original form IMM 5401) Obtaining an original receipt form - inside Canada: You may obtain an original receipt form (IMM 5401) inside Canada by: · ordering through our Web site · contacting the CIC Call Centre See Contact Information at the beginning of this guide. Note: If you have ordered a complete application package, the original receipt form will be included.

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Application for a Search of Citizenship Records

Outside Canada only
The following mode of payment may be used if you do not have access to the Internet. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may pay directly to the Canadian embassy, High Commission or consulate closest to your home. Make sure you bring your completed application and the correct fees. The only acceptable forms of payment outside Canada are on-line or payment directly to the Canadian embassy, High Commission or consulate responsible for your area. You can find information on fee payment methods outside Canada by visiting the CIC Web site at www.cic.gc.ca Select Pay My Application Fees in the I need to... section on the right hand side of the page. · Select Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates. You must choose the consular office responsible for your area. Note: Consular offices cannot accept: · · receipts for fees paid in Canada, or personal cheques. ·

Application for a Search of Citizenship Records

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How to Complete the Form
Follow the instructions carefully. Delays will result if your application is not properly completed. If you need more space to answer any questions, use an extra sheet of paper and indicate the number and/or letter of the question you are answering. Warning: If you send us an application that has any misleading or fraudulent information on it, you can be charged with a criminal offence, and you may be subject to criminal prosecution in a court, and refusal of your application.

Follow these step-by-step instructions
Section 1 You must indicate whether you would like service in English or French. Section 2 A. Whether you are applying for information about yourself or about another person, write down the surname/last name and given name(s) of the person whose record you want us to search. It will help us find the record if you write the name the same way the name has been recorded on the Record of Landing (IMM 1000), Permanent Resident Card (PRC), or on a citizenship certificate. B. You must indicate all the names the person has ever used, for example, name at birth, name used during a previous marriage, nick names etc. C. Indicate the date of birth and the place and country where the person was born. Give the date the person entered Canada as a permanent resident. D. If the person ever had a citizenship certificate, indicate the name that was on that certificate, when it was issued and the number of the certificate if you have this information. E. If the person entered Canada before 1915, you will need to fill out the section on the person's father. This is because citizenship records for persons who entered Canada before 1915 are usually based on the father's record. Without the father's information, we will not be able to find the person's record. For this section, fill in as much detail as you know about the name of the town and province where the father lived, what his job was and the father's birth date. Section 3 Whether you are applying for information about yourself or about another person, you must fill in this section about yourself. · · · Write down your surname/last name and given name(s). Provide your current mailing address, complete with postal code. We may need to contact you by phone. List the telephone number(s) where you can be reached.

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Application for a Search of Citizenship Records

Section 4

Authorization for the release of information Citizenship and Immigration Canada cannot release information about an individual unless the individual agrees. The information contained in citizenship records is protected under the Privacy Act. The Act also states that information cannot be released without the written consent of the person concerned. This is why you must complete Section 4 of the application (Authorization for the release of information), if you want to release information about your application to an authorized individual. By signing Section 4, you are agreeing to let us release the information to the individual or organization identified.

A. If this Application for a Search of Citizenship Records is for information about you only, tick off "Yes" in the first box and go to the next section (Section 5). If the information you need is about a relative or another person, tick off "No" in the second box and complete all of section 4. You must have the permission of the person indicated, for the release of this personal information. B. Have the other person sign their name where it says "signature", and have the person fill in the date of the signing. C. If the other person is deceased, you will need to give the date of death. Do not forget to provide proof of death if the person has been deceased for less than 20 years. If the other person is not deceased and does not give us permission to release the information, you will not be able to access the record. D. You must indicate what your relationship is to the person whose record is requested; for example, husband, wife, child, brother, sister or parent, and provide proof of relationship for example birth certificate showing parentage. Section 5 · · You must indicate why you need a letter. Use the space provided to indicate the reasons you need the letter. Sign the application in the same manner you would sign any other official document. Do not print. Indicate the date and place. Date the application the same day you sign it.

Application for a Search of Citizenship Records

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Where to Send Your Application
On the envelope to mail your application, print:
Your Name Your Address Your Postal Code Case Processing Centre - Sydney - Search P.O. Box 10010 SYDNEY NS B1P 7C1

· ·

Print your name and address in the top left corner of the envelope. Remember to include all supporting documents and fees.

If you are sending more than one application (for example, applications for family members), you may send one receipt to cover all applications. Mail the receipt and all applications together in one envelope. That way they will be processed together.

If you live outside Canada, mail your completed application form and the required documents to the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for you area.

What Happens Next?
Once your application has been received at the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials will search the Citizenship Registration System for the requested record. If the record is located, a letter will be sent to the mailing address provided by you. The letter will indicate when the person became a citizen, or if there is a Canadian citizenship application in process. If there is no record, or if no record can be located based on the information provided, a letter indicating that there is no record will be sent to the mailing address provided by you.

Remember: You must advise us of any change of address or telephone number by calling the Call Centre.

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Application for a Search of Citizenship Records