Citizenship Ceremony
Canada
Guide

A Comprehensive Guide to the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony

2025-01-27

A Comprehensive Guide to the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony

1. Summary

The Canadian citizenship ceremony is the final milestonein the citizenship process, marking your official transition into becoming a Canadian citizen. This summary highlights the key details—language options, location, timing, and essential links—to help you prepare effectively, no matter where you are in your journey.

Quick Facts

  • Language: English or French
  • Location: Mostly online; special in-person events available
  • When: 1–2 weeks after your application shows “Decision Made”

Essential Links

Whether you attend online or in person, the citizenship ceremony is a meaningful celebration of your new status. You’ll take the Oath of Citizenship, receive your citizenship certificate, and mark this significant achievement with fellow new Canadians.🎊

Looking for More?

2. Who Needs to Take the Oath?

Adults and children aged 14 or older must attend the ceremony and take the Oath of Citizenship. Parents will receive citizenship certificates for children under 14. These children are not required to attend the ceremony but are welcome to do so.

3. When and How You Will Get the Ceremony Invitation

You will receive your ceremony invitation about 1–2 weeks after your application reaches the “Decision Made” stage by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Check your application status by logging into the online tracker: IRCC Online Tracker.

4. Ceremony Location

Most ceremonies are conducted online, with the website address provided in the invitation email from IRCC. In-person ceremonies are available for special events, such as:

  • Canada Day
  • Citizenship Week

If you would like to attend an in-person event, you can search for in-person ceremonies and plan accordingly.

5. What to Bring

When attending the ceremony (online or in person), ensure you have:

  • Your ceremony notice
  • A signed copy of the Permission Release and Consent form (included with the notice)
  • Permanent resident card (even if expired) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM5292 or IMM5688)
  • Record of Landing (IMM1000) if you became a PR before June 28, 2002
  • Two pieces of personal identification (ID), one with your photo and signature
    • E.g., driver’s license, health card, or PR card for Canadians
    • Foreign ID must be government-issued; Canadian ID need not be
    • If ID is not in English or French, provide a translation with an affidavit
  • All passports and travel documents (current and expired) listed in your application
  • Optional: A holy book if you wish to use one to swear the Oath of Citizenship

6. Dress Code

Business casual attire is recommended. Wearing traditional or cultural clothing is encouraged to celebrate Canada’s diversity.

7. Ceremony Process

During the citizenship ceremony, you will go through a series of steps to complete your transition to Canadian citizenship:

Join the Ceremony Using Zoom

Use Zoom to connect to the ceremony using the meeting ID and passcode provided in your invitation email. You can either visit Zoom's website to join via your browser or download and install the application on your computer.

Verify Personal Details

Once you join, the host will check your details and assign you a seat number. You’ll then enter a breakout room where you can chat with other attendees using Zoom chat to celebrate this moment together.

Conducting the Interview

An officer will confirm your documents and conduct a short interview. They may ask where you live, whether you’re ready to become a Canadian citizen, and if you have any concerns. It’s designed to be a simple, relaxing process—no need to worry.

Participate in the Ceremony

After interviews are complete, you’ll move to the main room. You will take the Oath of Citizenship and sing the national anthem, O Canada. To see a preview of what this looks like, watch the official Oath of Citizenship video below:

Photo with the Judge

As a final step, you can take a commemorative photo with the citizenship judge to celebrate this milestone moment.

8. After the Ceremony

Once the ceremony concludes, IRCC will email you the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form. Be sure to sign and return it promptly as instructed. Completing this step is essential for receiving your official citizenship certificate.

🎉 Congratulations on becoming a Canadian citizen! Enjoy your new rights and responsibilities as you embark on this exciting new chapter in your life.🇨🇦

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some common ceremony-related questions.

How do you handle ceremony scheduling changes?

If you need to change your ceremony date, contact the IRCC as soon as possible using the information provided in your invitation email or letter. In some cases, you may be required to provide valid reasons for rescheduling, such as travel, medical appointments, or urgent family commitments.

What if you miss your scheduled ceremony date?

Missing your scheduled ceremony could lead to delays in finalizing your citizenship. You should notify IRCC immediately if you realize you cannot attend. Often, they will provide instructions to reschedule. If you do not communicate or reschedule, your application may be closed, and you might need to start the application process over.

Can family members attend, and is it mandatory for children?

Yes, family members are welcome. For minors:

  • Children 14 or older must attend the ceremony and take the Oath of Citizenship.
  • Children under 14 are not required but may attend to share in the celebration.

This flexibility allows families to experience the ceremony together while ensuring that older children fulfill their legal requirements.

What to do if you didn't receive your ceremony invitation?

If you haven’t received your ceremony invitation within the expected timeframe (usually 1–2 weeks after “Decision Made”), first check your IRCC online account and the email address you used on your application, including spam or junk folders. If there’s no sign of the invitation, contact IRCC directly to confirm the status of your application and request a re-issuance of the ceremony invite.

How do I contact IRCC for help?

You can contact IRCC through their web form or by calling their phone number at 1-888-242-2100. Be sure to have your application number and personal details ready to receive prompt assistance.