Canadian Government Reviews Citizenship Certificates

The Canadian government is reportedly sending letters to individuals globally who recently obtained citizenship. These letters instruct recipients to return their citizenship certificates, causing confusion across social media platforms. Posts on Reddit and local reports claim that Canadian authorities sent these letters to individuals who seem to have received their certificates in 2026, following the passage of Bill C-3 in December 2025. This bill removed the first-generation limit, allowing more people to apply for citizenship.

IRCC Reviews Citizenship Files

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) informed Newsweek that they are aware of a small group of individuals affected by this issue. These individuals had obtained a citizenship certificate under Bill C-3 and have been notified that their files are under review. IRCC aims to verify if these certificates were correctly issued based on legal requirements. Affected individuals will have the opportunity to submit additional evidence to support their case. If entitled, certificates will be returned once the review confirms their legitimacy. IRCC emphasized that this process pertains to individual cases and not to recent legislative changes.

Understanding Bill C-3

Bill C-3, enacted in 2025, amended the Citizenship Act, altering how citizenship is passed to those born abroad. It took effect on December 15, 2025, following a court ruling that deemed parts of the previous law unconstitutional. The most significant change was eliminating the first-generation limit, which blocked Canadians born outside the country from passing citizenship to their children if born abroad. Bill C-3 established a requirement for a ‘substantial connection’ to Canada, meaning a parent should have lived in Canada for at least three years before a child’s birth or adoption for that child to qualify for citizenship.

The law allowed many who were previously denied citizenship to obtain it, notably those with ties to Canada living abroad. IRCC indicated that applicants must demonstrate a clear connection to Canada and prove the parent-child relationship across generations. Ancestry alone does not guarantee citizenship.

Affected Individuals

Between April 2025 and March 2026, Canada granted 285,500 new citizenships, according to IRCC data, suggesting many could be affected by this review.

Letter Details

An example shared on Reddit, allegedly from Peggy Sun, the Registrar of Canadian Citizenship, mentioned a legal provision allowing the request for certificate surrender if the holder may not be entitled. The letter cited missing original documentation from authorized sources, such as civil registries or government agencies. It outlined required explanations and efforts to obtain unavailable documents.

If documentation was not submitted with the proof of citizenship application, the letter requested surrender of the certificate and noted that their citizenship status is “under review.” The recipient is invited to provide further evidence, with a potential return of the certificate should their entitlement be confirmed.

Reddit Community Reaction

On Reddit, users expressed concern and sought information about the letters. A ‘megathread’ was created to consolidate knowledge and identify patterns among those receiving letters. Users shared details such as application approval dates, urgent processing requests, and submitted documents. Some mentioned receiving certificates in 2026, requesting urgent processing, and that letters were dated June 13.