How to Prepare for the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony
The Canadian citizenship ceremony is the final step in becoming a Canadian citizen. Depending on your invitation, you may attend your ceremony either in person or virtually by video conference. If you receive an invitation while outside Canada, you should contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for guidance before taking the oath.
For support with arranging a citizenship ceremony, becoming a Canadian citizen, or with your citizenship application, contact Total Law on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online.
What is the Citizenship Ceremony?
The Canadian citizenship ceremony is the final step in the Canadian citizenship application process for adult applicants. During the ceremony, you take the Oath of Citizenship making a formal commitment to, and pledging your allegiance to Canada. When you sign the Oath (Affirmation) of Citizenship form, and the ceremony is completed, you will receive your Canadian citizenship certificate. It is a mandatory event for all adults, and children over 14. They must attend if applying for Citizenship by Naturalisation in Canada. Under 14s can participate in the ceremony if their parents, guardians or siblings are involved but it is not a requirement. There is no ceremony requirement for citizenship gained by birth or descent.
IRCC may invite you to attend an in-person ceremony or in some cases, a virtual citizenship ceremony by video conference. You will not get to choose initially, but you may request a change of ceremony format once. If approved, you will receive a new ceremony date.
Page Contents
- What is the Citizenship Ceremony?
- How is the Citizenship Ceremony Scheduled?
- What Do I Need to Bring to the Citizenship Ceremony?
- What Happens at the Citizenship Ceremony?
- What is the Oath of Citizenship?
- What is the Canadian National Anthem?
- Can I Bring my Child to the Citizenship Ceremony?
- What Should I Wear to the Citizenship Ceremony?
- How Can Total Law Help?
How is the Citizenship Ceremony Scheduled?
In most cases, the ceremony will take place around 3 months after you pass your citizenship test.
You will be informed of the time, date and location of the ceremony around 1 to 2 weeks beforehand.
If you’re unable to attend the ceremony at the date that’s been given to you, you will need to email or write to the office that sent you the notification or contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) through their web form.
You will need to give a reasonable explanation as to why you can’t attend the ceremony on your initial date, otherwise IRCC may stop processing your citizenship application.
You will be notified of your new ceremony date by letter or by email, if you’ve previously given it.
What Do I Need to Bring to the Citizenship Ceremony?
You must bring certain documents and identification to your Canadian citizenship ceremony. The exact requirements depend on whether your ceremony is in person or virtual.
Typically, you must bring:
- Your citizenship ceremony invitation
- All your passports and travel documents, current and expired, that you listed on your application form
- A signed copy of the Permission Release and Consent form (included with your ceremony invitation)
One of the following:
- Your Permanent Resident (PR) card, even if it has expired; or
- Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)
- Your Record of Landing (IMM 1000), if you became a permanent resident before June 28, 2002
Two pieces of personal identification:
- One piece of ID must have your photograph and signature, such as a driver’s licence, health card or permanent resident card
- Foreign ID documents must be government-issued (Canadian ID documents do not need to be government-issued)
If you use your PR card as one of your two pieces of ID, your second piece of identification must be issued by the Canadian federal government or by a provincial or territorial government. If the IDs are not in English or French, you must provide a translation accompanied by an affidavit from the translator
Identification for minors
Identification documents for minors do not need to include a photograph or signature. The following are appropriate:
- Original passport or other travel document
- PR card
- Health card
- School ID card
- Foreign government-issued identification
- Non-government identification
- Hospital or immunization record for children who are under school age
Optional
You may also bring a holy book of your choice if you wish to use one when taking the Oath of Citizenship.
Virtual Ceremonies
If you are attending your ceremony virtually, you should also have:
- Your virtual seat number, which is provided on the first page of your invitation
- A pair of scissors to cut up your PR card at the beginning of the ceremony
- A computer, tablet or mobile phone with a reliable internet connection, working camera and audio
Can I Bring my Child to the Citizenship Ceremony?
Anyone attending a citizenship ceremony may bring their children, even if the child or children aren’t becoming citizens.
Note that anyone attending the ceremony to become a citizen must stay in the room for the whole ceremony. If you’re bringing a young child, it’s recommended that you bring a guest with you who can take care of your child in case they need to leave the ceremony room for any reason.
If you’re unable to arrange child care for the date of your ceremony, you may have your ceremony rescheduled to a different date.
What Should I Wear to the Citizenship Ceremony?
As the ceremony is pitched as a dignified and meaningful event, the recommended and appropriate dress is smart, business attire.
You can wear traditional or religious dress and head coverings at the ceremony.
Candidates or guests who are wearing casual hats in the ceremony may be asked by staff to take them off.
What Happens at the Citizenship Ceremony?
During the citizenship ceremony, you will do the following:
- Take the Oath of Citizenship
- Receive your citizenship certificate
- Sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form
- Sing the Canadian national anthem, ‘O Canada’
The ceremony will be overseen by a citizenship judge or official, who will also lead the Oath of Citizenship. They will say the oath in both English and French, and you and the other candidates taking the oath will have to repeat the words after the ceremony official.
You must repeat the oath in at least one of the official languages of English or French, but you may say them in both if you wish.
There are two ways to take the oath: swearing or affirming. Swearing the oath is for those who wish to refer to their religious belief, and affirming is for people who don’t want to refer to a religious text.
After you take the Oath of Citizenship, you’ll be a fully naturalized Canadian citizen. You’ll be given your citizenship certificate, which will display the date that you became a citizen.
After you’re given your certificate, you will sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form and sing the Canadian national anthem.
You’ll be given the words to the oath and the national anthem in the ceremony, so you don’t have to worry about learning them off by heart.
What is the Oath of Citizenship?
The Oath of Citizenship is a declaration of your loyalty to the Canadian monarch and a promise to abide by the laws and customs of Canada.
The full text of the oath in both English and French is below:
Oath of Citizenship in English
I swear (or affirm)
That I will be faithful
And bear true allegiance
To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second
Queen of Canada
Her Heirs and Successors
And that I will faithfully observe
The laws of Canada
Including the Constitution
Which recognizes and affirms
The Aboriginal and treaty rights of
First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
And fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.
Oath of Citizenship in French
Je jure (ou j’affirme solennellement)
Que je serai fidèle
Et porterai sincère allégeance
À Sa Majesté
La reine Elizabeth Deux
Reine du Canada
À ses héritiers et successeurs
Que j’observerai fidèlement
Les lois du Canada
Y compris la Constitution
Qui reconnaît et confirme les droits
Ancestraux ou issus de traités
Des Premières Nations, des Inuits et des Métis
Et que je remplirai loyalement
Mes obligations
De citoyen canadien.
What is the Canadian National Anthem?
The citizenship ceremony ends with all attendants singing the Canadian national anthem, ‘O Canada’.
There are two versions of the national anthem sung in Canadian citizenship ceremonies. In all provinces and territories except Quebec, a bilingual version that is mostly in English is sung. In Quebec, a bilingual version that is mostly in French is sung.
The full text of the national anthem of both versions is below:
‘O Canada’, Bilingual English First Version
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
‘O Canada’, Bilingual French First Version
Ô Canada! Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
How Can Total Law Help?
The Canadian citizenship ceremony is an important part of the citizenship process, as it marks the beginning of your life as a newly naturalized Canadian citizen. If you have any questions or concerns about the Canadian citizenship ceremony, or how to become a Canadian citizen, Total Law are here to help.
We are an expert team of immigration lawyers specialising in Canadian immigration and citizenship. We can guide you through every part of the Canadian citizenship process, from establishing your eligibility, helping to assemble your application and supporting documents, and making sure that you pass your citizenship test with confidence. We can also help you to obtain a Canadian passport after you become a fully naturalized Canadian citizen
For more information about the services we offer and what we can do for you, get in touch with us on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.
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