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Canadian Citizenship for a US Born Child to a Canadian Parent while Living in the USA(Information supplied on this topic is from experience only, and in no way reflects policies, regulations, or laws from either Canada, USA, Manitoba, or Minnesota) |
General:
Children
born abroad (such as in the USA) to at least one Canadian Citizen are Canadian
Citizens by birthright. This document will describe the steps needs to
obtain proof of such Canadian citizenship. Even though the USA only
recognizes your baby's US citizenship, your baby essential has "dual
citizenship". This document will covers the specific steps needed for
obtaining such proof when the baby is born in the USA, and are currently living
in the USA. Remember, your child is not applying for citizenship - he/she
is already a Canadian Citizen. You are applying for PROOF of
citizenship.
The
Steps:
Before starting anything,
you must have your baby's ORIGINAL long-form birth certificate. This birth
certificate is a state document, issued by the County. You must apply for
this birth certificate first before you can proceed with obtaining citizenship
documents. See How
to Order a Birth Certificate (MN) for more information in Minnesota.
Step 1: Visit the Canadian government's Obtaining
Citizenship Document from Outside Canada. Download the PDF
form, and print it out. You will need the Adobe
Acrobat Reader to read and print it installed on your PC.
Step 2: Fill in the form to the best of your knowledge.
Remember, you are filling in this form on behalf of your child, so answer the
questions from your child's position.
Step 3: Obtain citizenship photographs for the child. These
photographs are NOT the same size as standard passport photos. Many photo
studios will not photograph infants, nor will they be able to provide these
photo sizes. After searching the Twin Cities area, we found a very
reasonable place in Shakopee called:
Positive Images,
586 Marschall Rd, Shakopee MN
Phone 952-496-0213.
Be sure to provide to the photographer page 6 of
the application showing the specifications of the photograph. Read this
document VERY carefully. This studio in Shakopee uses digital photography
to create a photograph (2) that will be the correct size. Highly
recommended. Ask them to mail the photos back to you. Be sure the
photographer has stamped and dated the back of the photo. Be sure that
there is a white strip at the bottom of the photo as specified.
Step 4: When you get the photos back, do NOT sign the white
strip. Instead, neatly print your child's FULL NAME on the back of the
photo.
Step 5: Obtain a notarized copy of your I-94 or other such document
(Alien Resident Card, US Naturalization Certificate) showing ONE of the
Canadian's parent's legal status while in the USA. This step is NOT shown
anywhere in the Citizenship Application instructions, but you WILL need it for
the Canadian Consulate to process your petition.
Step 6: Obtain a bank draft, or US Money order for $50.00 (USD$),
payable to the Canadian Consulate. This fee was current as of
9/19/2001. Contact the Canadian Consulate to verify fee before obtaining
at the number shown below.
Step 7: Obtain ONE of the Canadian's parent's (same parent as for
step 4) original proof of Canadian Citizenship. The ONLY acceptable
documents are Canadian Citizenship Card, or Provincial Birth Certificate.
A Canadian passport is NOT acceptable proof of citizenship.
Step 8: Mail to the Canadian Consulate (Minneapolis address shown
at the bottom) ALL of the following:
The Consulate will make CERTIFIED copies of your
petitioning documents, and return your original documents back to you within a
couple of weeks by courier. We actually received ours back 2 days
later. Your petition will be forwarded by diplomatic pouch to Sydney,
NS. Expect to wait between 8-12 months. The citizenship card will be
sent to the consulate, and they will forward it to you.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to contact the consulate if you are moving!
In Minnesota, send your envelop (by courier, certified mail, or drop it off) to:
Canadian Consulate General
Attn: Consular Department
701-4th Avenue South, Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1899
Questions: Colleen O'Meara of the Minneapolis Canadian Consulate can be contacted at:
(612) 332-7486, ext 3420
You can contact Neil Marriott at