Free CITIZENSHIP - Applying for a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) - Canada

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada

CITIZENSHIP

Table of Contents
Overview ......................................... 2 Before You Apply .............................. 3 Step 1. Gather Documents ................. 6 Step 2. Complete the Application .......10 Step 3. Mail the Application ...............13 What Happens Next ...................... 14

Canada
Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship (for certain persons who acquired citizenship on April 17, 2009) (R7.1)

Forms
Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship under section 7.1 (CIT 0496) Citizenship Photograph Specifications (CIT 0445) Document Checklist (CIT 0501)

This application is made available free of charge by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and is not to be sold to applicants. This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

Cette trousse est également disponible en français

CIT 0496E (04-2009)

Overview
Application package This application package consists of: · an instruction guide, and · the required form(s). The instruction guide is a tool that provides · the information you must know about this application before sending it to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and · assistance with how to fill out the forms and the required supporting documents. Read the instruction guide thoroughly and then fill out each of the applicable form(s). The form(s) are specifically designed with questions that will assist in the processing of your application.

Why you need to read this guide

This guide provides all of the instructions necessary to complete this application. As a result of reading the guide, you should be able to: · complete the application form, and · determine what supporting documents need to be included.

Symbols used in this guide

This guide uses the following symbols to indicate information of particular importance. This symbol... Tells you... What you must do to have your application processed.

Important information that you need to be aware of in order to avoid delays or other problems. Where to get more information. Note: Tips that will assist you with this application.

The application process

The instructions provided in this guide follow the basic steps you will need to know to complete your application. Step 1. Gather documents Step 2. Complete the application Step 3. Mail the application

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Simplified Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship

Before You Apply
Who may use this application This application is for a person who automatically acquired Canadian citizenship on April 17, 2009, due to an amendment to the Citizenship Act and who wishes to renounce it under section 7.1 of the Citizenship Regulations.

Assessing your eligibility

To renounce your Canadian citizenship using this application you must: · · · be a Canadian citizen under paragraph 3(1)(f) or 3(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act as described below; be a citizen of a country other than Canada, or show that you will become a citizen of a country other than Canada, if your application to renounce is approved; and understand the significance of renouncing your Canadian citizenship. Description · · was formerly a citizen; ceased to be a citizen for any reason other than: o renunciation of citizenship under specific provisions of the 1947 Canadian Citizenship Act or renunciation under the current Citizenship Act (1977); revocation of citizenship under specific provisions of the 1947 Act or revocation under the 1977 Act; or failure to retain citizenship under the 1977 Act.

A citizen under... 3(1)(f)

o

o ·

had not resumed citizenship since its loss and, therefore, became a citizen with the coming into force of this paragraph. had, before the coming into force of this paragraph, never been a citizen; was born: o o outside Canada in the 1st generation; between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977, inclusive.

3(1)(g)

· ·

·

at the time of the birth, one of their parents was a Canadian citizen.

Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship (R7.1)

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What happens if I renounce my Canadian Citizenship?

If you renounce your Canadian citizenship, you lose all the rights and privileges of a Canadian citizen. You must return any Canadian citizenship certificates in your possession. For further inquiries see the "How to Contact CIC" section at the end of this guide.

Legal name change

Consult the table below to determine the documents that are to be included with your application. If you have ... legally changed your name Then you must... submit a copy of the change of name document issued by a Canadian province or territory, or by the appropriate foreign-state authority. · submit a copy of that document showing both names, and · a copy of one document issued by a Canadian province or territory or by an appropriate foreign-state authority. Example of documents include: · health insurance card, · driver's licence, or · an official school record issued by the provincial or territorial department responsible for education showing that exact name. submit a copy of that amendment or a letter confirming the change of name.

changed your name as a result of marriage, adoption or divorce

applied for an amendment to your Record of Landing, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence

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Simplified Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship

The Application Process

Ensure you meet the requirements for a Renunciation (R7.1) Ensure you meet the requirements for a Renunciation (R7.1) Follow the instructions within the guide to ensure that you are eligible to Follow the instructions within the guide to ensure that you are eligible to apply for a Renunciation (R7.1) apply for a Renunciation (R7.1)

Complete and submit your application for a Renunciation (R7.1) Complete and submit your application for a Renunciation (R7.1) Gather all required documents, fill out the application forms Gather all required documents, fill out the application forms and mail your completed package as outlined in the guide and mail your completed package as outlined in the guide

CIC reviews your application CIC reviews your application Did you include the completed and signed forms and all required documents Did you include the completed and signed forms and all required documents in your package? in your package? If necessary will ask you for additional information or documents. If necessary will ask you for additional information or documents. CIC renders a decision CIC renders a decision

If yes, a renunciation document is If yes, a renunciation document is prepared and will be sent to you. prepared and will be sent to you.

If no, a letter of explanation If no, a letter of explanation will be sent to you will be sent to you

Action you must take CIC process

Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship (R7.1)

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Step 1. Gather Documents
Step 1. Gather documents Step 2. Complete the application Step 3. Mail the application

What documents are required?

The table below outlines the documents that you need to include with your application. You may also use the Document Checklist (CIT 0501) which you can find in this package to assist you gathering the necessary documentation. If any of the required documents are missing, or photocopies are not clear, your application may be returned to you. Note: Additional documents may be required during the processing of your application.

Citizenship photo

All applicants must send one (1) photo. The photo must have been taken within the last 12 months and is in accordance with the Citizenship Photograph Specifications form (CIT 0445)

Identify the scenario that describes your situation and submit the appropriate supporting documents. Provide clear certified copies of your documents unless otherwise stated. If... you have a certificate of registration of birth abroad (RBA), a citizenship certificate · · · Then send the following supporting documents: All original citizenship/naturalization certificate(s) and any pink transmission copies Two (2) pieces of personal identification, such as a driver's licence and a health insurance card Other documents, such as a marriage certificate/ divorce certificate and/or a legal name change certificate (if applicable) A valid foreign passport or a document from a foreign government to establish you are or will become a citizen of a country other than Canada A birth certificate issued by the appropriate provincial or territorial authority Two (2) pieces of personal identification, such as a driver's licence and a health insurance card Other documents, such as a marriage certificate/ divorce certificate and/or a legal name change certificate (if applicable) A valid foreign passport or a document from a foreign government to establish you are or will become a citizen of a country other than Canada

·

you have never had a citizenship certificate and you were born in Canada

· · ·

·

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Simplified Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship

you were born outside · Canada to a Canadian parent on or after January 1, 1947 · · ·

A birth certificate which lists your parents (issued by responsible government authorities in the country where you were born) Proof that one or both of your natural parents were Canadian citizens when you were born Two (2) pieces of personal identification, such as a driver's licence and a health insurance card Other documents, such as a marriage certificate/ divorce certificate and/or a legal name change certificate (if applicable) A valid foreign passport or a document from a foreign government to establish you are or will become a citizen of a country other than Canada

·

you were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent before January 1, 1947

·

A birth certificate which lists your parents (issued by responsible government authorities in the country where you were born) Proof that your natural father or your natural mother, if your parents were not married before your birth) was a Canadian citizen when you were born, such as your parent's provincial or territorial birth certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate Your parent's marriage certificate Two (2) pieces of personal identification, such as a driver's licence and a health insurance card Other documents, such as a marriage certificate/ divorce certificate and/or a legal name change certificate (if applicable) A valid foreign passport or document from a foreign government to establish you are or will become a citizen of a country other than Canada Your birth certificate (issued by responsible authorities in the country of your birth) Two (2) pieces of personal identification, such as a driver's licence and a health insurance card For women married before 1947: details of your husband's nationality at the time of your marriage Other documents, such as a marriage certificate/divorce certificate and/or a legal name change certificate (if applicable) A valid foreign passport or a document from a foreign government to establish you are or will become a citizen of a country other than Canada

·

· · ·

·

you were a British subject · who lived in Canada for 20 years · immediately before 1947 · ·

·

Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship (R7.1)

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you were a British subject · who lived in Canada as a permanent resident for at · least 5 years (but less than 20) before 1947 · · ·

Your birth certificate (issued by responsible government authorities in the country where you were born) Proof of admission to Canada as a permanent resident (immigration document or British passport you used when you originally entered Canada if it includes an original entry or admission stamp) Two (2) pieces of personal identification, such as a driver's licence, and a health insurance card For women married before 1947: details of your husband's nationality at the time of your marriage Other documents, such as marriage certificate/ divorce certificate and/or a legal name change certificate (if applicable) A valid foreign passport or a document from a foreign government to establish you are or will become a citizen of a country other than Canada Your birth certificate (issued by responsible government authorities in the country where you were born) Your marriage certificate Proof of your husband's Canadian citizenship (such as husband's provincial or territorial birth certificate or citizenship certificate). Proof of your admission to Canada as a permanent resident (immigration document or British passport you used when you originally entered Canada if it includes an original entry or admission stamp) Two (2) pieces of personal identification, such as a driver's licence and a health insurance card Other documents, such as a marriage certificate/divorce certificate and/or a legal name change certificate (if applicable) A valid foreign passport or a document from a foreign government to establish you are or will become a citizen of a country other than Canada

·

you were a woman who · married a Canadian before 1947 and who also · entered Canada as a · permanent resident before 1947 ·

· ·

·

Quebec government documents

The following documents issued by the government of Quebec before January 1, 1994, are not accepted: · · · baptismal certificates, birth certificates, and marriage certificates. If you are currently in possession of one of these certificates you must obtain a new document by contacting the office of the Directeur de l'état civil du Québec by visiting their website at: www.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca

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Simplified Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship

Certified true copies

To have a copy certified, an authorized person must compare the original document to the photocopy and must print the following on the photocopy: · · · · · · "I certify that this is a true copy of the original document"; the name of the original document; the date of the certification; his or her name; his or her official position or title; his or her signature.

Who can certify copies?

People authorized to certify copies include the following: In · · · Canada: a commissioner of oaths a notary public a justice of the peace Outside Canada: · a foreign service officer · a judge · a magistrate · an officer of a court of justice · a person authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the person is living

Translated documents

Any document that is not in English or French must be accompanied by: · · the English or French translation; and an affidavit from the person who completed the translation.

Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document. Translations by family members are not acceptable. Family member is defined as being a: parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew and first cousin.

You must: · · Photograph · · provide one (1) citizenship photograph; take the Citizenship Photo Specifications form (CIT 0445), included in this guide, to the photographer to make sure you get the correct size photo; follow the steps explained on the form; do not staple, glue or otherwise attach the photo directly to the application.

Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship (R7.1)

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Step 2. Complete the Application
Step 1. Gather documents Step 2. Complete the application Step 3. Mail the application

Filling out the Follow the step-by-step instructions below to complete the application application form. The following is the form that must be filled out and submitted: · Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship ­ R7.1 (for certain persons who acquired citizenship on April 17, 2009) (CIT 0496) It is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on this form. The information you provide on your application may be subject to verification.

Complete all sections. If any section is not applicable to you, write "N/A" ("Not applicable"). If your application is incomplete it may be returned to you and processing may be delayed. Be complete and accurate Note: If you need more space for any section, use an extra sheet of paper and indicate the number and/or letter of the section you are completing and submit it along with your application.

Question 1

Action Section 1 Would you like to receive service (correspondence, interview) in English or French? Section 2 Check the box to indicate if you ever had a certificate of Canadian citizenship or naturalization. If yes, write your certificate number (if you have one). You must return any Canadian citizenship certificates in your possession. Failure to do so will result in delays in processing your application. Section 3 Write down your last name (surname/family name) and given name(s). If you have used other names in the past, or are known by a name other than the one you listed above, write them in the space provided. Other names can include your: · birth name, · nicknames, · community names, etc. Note: You can use a separate piece of paper if required.

2

3A 3B

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Simplified Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship

Question

Action

Section 4 4A Write your date of birth exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or citizenship certificate. Indicate the place and country where you were born. 4B Check the box to indicate whether you are a male or female. Include your height, the colour of your eyes, and your legal marital status. Section 5 5A Provide your current home address including your postal code. 5B If your mailing address is different from your home address, include your mailing address with your postal code. 5C List the phone number(s) where you can be reached. Section 6 Check the box to indicate if you are a citizen or a national of a country other than Canada. If yes, indicate the name of the country. If no, and you are not a citizen of another country, write the name of the country of which you will become a citizen if your application to renounce Canadian citizenship is approved. Attach proof. Section 7 If you are a woman and married before January 1, 1947: · · · Write your husband's surname/last name, given name(s), country and date of birth. Write the country in which you were married and the date of your marriage. Check the box to indicate if your husband is a Canadian citizen. If yes, check the box to indicate if it was by "birth" or "other". If you select "other", provide the details. · If your husband has a citizenship certificate, write the certificate number and the date he acquired citizenship. Section 8 You must indicate if you left Canada for 1 year or longer before 1977. If yes, provide the dates you were away, the country of destination and the reason you went to that country. Section 9 Check the box to indicate if you have ever lived in Canada. If yes, indicate either since birth or the date you first entered to live. Section 10 · Check the box to indicate the relationship of your parents to you by selecting Natural or Adoptive. · Print your parents surname/last name, given name(s), date of birth and country of birth. · Indicate where your parents were married (if applicable), and the date of the marriage. · Indicate how your parents obtained Canadian citizenship. · Check the box to indicate whether your parents left Canada for more than one (1) year before 1977. If yes, provide the dates they were away and the country they visited. · Check the box to indicate if your parents are or were citizens of a country other than Canada. If yes, provide the details including the country, date and how the citizenship was obtained. · Check the box to indicate if at the time of your birth, your parents were employed in Canada by a foreign government or international agency. If yes, provide details. · If your parents were born in Canada, check the box to indicate if one of his or her parents was employed by a foreign government or international agency. If yes, provide details.

Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship (R7.1)

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Question

Action

Section 11 Make sure to read the declaration. Then sign the application with the signature you currently use on other official documents and include the date. Section 12 The individual, authorized officer of a firm or organization who assisted in the completion of this application must sign and date this section.

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Simplified Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship

Step 3. Mail the Application
Step 1. Gather documents Step 2. Complete the application Step 3. Mail the application

Where to mail the application

Mail your completed application in a stamped envelope to the address shown below:
(Your Name) (Your Address) (Your Postal Code)

Affix sufficient postage

Case Processing Centre - Sydney Renunciation (R7.1) P.O. Box 12000 Sydney, NS B1P 7C2 Canada

If you are sending more than one application

If you are sending more than one application (for example, applications for family members), send all applications together in one envelope so that they will be processed together.

· · · ·

Reminders...

Your application will also be returned to you if it is stale-dated (dated more than 90 days before CIC receives it) or it is post-dated (dated into the future). You must be eligible for citizenship the day before you sign the application. The application must be signed and dated before it is mailed. If your application is not signed and dated, it will be returned to you. Make sure to use the document checklist and include it with your application.

Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship (R7.1)

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What Happens Next
Once your application is received in CPC Sydney Once your application is received at the Case Processing Centre (CPC Sydney), it will be reviewed and processing will begin. If your application is... properly completed and you meet the requirements for a renunciation (R7.1) encountering delays and requires more time for processing from Outside Canada Then... your application is approved and you will receive a document attesting to the renunciation of citizenship. you will be contacted for more information or asked to supply additional documents allow sufficient time for your application to be received at the CPC in Sydney, Nova Scotia, as mail service can vary between countries

During the application process, you must advise us of any change of address or telephone number by: Updating your contact information · · going to www.cic.gc.ca, click on Change My Address in the I Need To ... section on the right-hand side of the page; or see How to Contact CIC at the end of this Guide.

Checking application status online

You can check the status of your application on-line by doing the following: 1. Log on to our website at: www.cic.gc.ca; 2. Go to Check My Application Status in the I need to...section on the right-hand side of the page. 3. Then click on Client Application Status and follow the instructions provided. To obtain details on how to remove your application status information from the Internet, visit the "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) section.

Protecting your information

Your personal information is: · only available to CIC employees who need to see it in order to provide the services to you, and · not disclosed to anyone else except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act. You can obtain additional information on the protection of your data by visiting the "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) on our website.

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Simplified Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship

Quality Assurance Program

Our quality assurance program randomly selects applications for a special review. If selected you may be asked to attend an interview with a Citizenship and Immigration official so that we can: · verify the documentation you submitted is accurate; · verify that your application has been completed properly. Note: You will be notified in writing should your application be selected.

Processing times can change. You can obtain current processing times on our website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/index.asp. Current processing times

Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship (R7.1)

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How to Contact CIC
The table below shows the three ways you can contact CIC. Website

www.cic.gc.ca
CIC Call Centre:

1-888-242-2100 (toll-free)
Within Canada Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., your local time If you are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, or you have a speech impediment and use a text telephone, you can access the TTY service from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time by calling: 1-888-576-8502 (in Canada only). Contact a Canadian: · Embassy, · High Commission, or · Consulate. Consult the local phone pages or the CIC website for addresses, phone numbers and website addresses.

Outside Canada

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.

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Simplified Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship