Canadian Citizenship Certificate Processing Time Reaches 33 Months: What Applicants Can Do in 2026
For Canadians trying to obtain proof of citizenship, the wait has become significantly longer.
As of September 2026, the estimated processing time for a Canadian citizenship certificate had risen to approximately 33 months, with more than 136,000 applications reportedly waiting for a decision.
The growing backlog comes less than a year after major changes to Canada's citizenship-by-descent rules expanded the number of people who may qualify for Canadian citizenship.
For some applicants, a citizenship certificate is more than a piece of paperwork. It may be needed to obtain a Canadian passport, prove status, relocate to Canada, accept employment or make important decisions for their family.
So what changed, why are applications taking so long, and when should someone consider taking legal action over an IRCC delay?
Why Are Canadian Citizenship Certificate Applications Taking So Long?
One of the biggest changes came from Bill C-3, which came into force on December 15, 2025.
Previously, Canada's Citizenship Act generally restricted citizenship by descent to the first generation born outside Canada. Bill C-3 changed that rule and restored or extended citizenship to many people who had previously been excluded by the first-generation limit and other historic citizenship rules. Canada
People born outside Canada before December 15, 2025 may now be Canadian citizens in circumstances where the previous law would have prevented them from acquiring citizenship.
For people born or adopted abroad on or after December 15, 2025, a Canadian parent who was also born or adopted abroad may generally pass citizenship to the next generation if that parent can demonstrate at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the child's birth or adoption.
We previously explained these changes in our article Canada's New Citizenship Rules Now in Effect: What Families Born or Adopted Abroad Need to Know. Read Ayodele Law's guide to Canadian citizenship by descent
The expanded eligibility created by Bill C-3 has also increased the number of people seeking certificates confirming that they are Canadian citizens.
How Long Is the Citizenship Certificate Processing Time in Canada?
Recent reporting based on IRCC figures showed the following:
A citizenship certificate application is different from an application by a permanent resident to become a Canadian citizen.
In many citizenship-by-descent cases, the applicant may already be a Canadian citizen under the law. The application asks IRCC to formally confirm that status by issuing proof of citizenship.
That distinction can make a lengthy delay particularly difficult. An applicant may legally have citizenship but still lack the documentation needed to establish it in practical situations.
What Problems Can a 33-Month Citizenship Delay Cause?
Waiting nearly three years can have significant consequences.
Someone waiting for proof of Canadian citizenship may need the certificate before applying for a Canadian passport. Delays could also complicate plans involving employment, education, relocation, family arrangements or international travel.
IRCC itself advises people who believe they may already be Canadian citizens and plan to travel to obtain proof of citizenship and a Canadian passport before travelling.
Applicants should therefore consider not only how long their application has been pending, but also what consequences the delay is having on their lives.
What Can You Do If Your Citizenship Certificate Is Delayed?
A long processing time does not automatically mean that an applicant should immediately go to Federal Court.
Applicants should generally begin by making sure that their application is complete and checking whether IRCC has requested additional information or documents.
Depending on the situation, next steps may include contacting IRCC for an update, submitting a webform inquiry, requesting information about the status of the application and documenting previous attempts to obtain a decision.
If an application remains unresolved for an unusually long period, however, it may be appropriate to obtain legal advice about whether the delay has become unreasonable.
That is where a Writ of Mandamus may become relevant.
What Is a Writ of Mandamus?
A Writ of Mandamus is a Federal Court remedy that can be used in certain circumstances when a federal decision-maker has failed to perform a legal duty.
In an immigration or citizenship case, a mandamus application may ask the Federal Court to require IRCC to make a decision on an application that has been unreasonably delayed. The Federal Court has jurisdiction to issue a writ of mandamus against federal decision-makers. Department of Justice Canada
Importantly, mandamus does not require IRCC to approve the citizenship application. It seeks to require IRCC to perform its duty and make a decision.
Ayodele Law represents clients experiencing lengthy IRCC delays. You can learn more about Writ of Mandamus applications for delayed immigration and citizenship matters here. Writ of Mandamus Canada and IRCC delays | Ayodele Law
We have also prepared a detailed guide explaining when applicants should consider filing a mandamus application. When Should You Consider Filing a Mandamus Application?
Is 33 Months Automatically an Unreasonable Delay?
No. There is no universal number of months after which an applicant automatically qualifies for mandamus. Whether a delay is legally unreasonable depends on the circumstances of the individual case.
Factors may include how long the application has been pending, the normal processing time for that type of application, whether the applicant caused any part of the delay, whether IRCC has provided an explanation and what steps the applicant has already taken to obtain a decision. The consequences of the delay can also be important.
For example, an applicant who needs proof of citizenship for urgent employment, family or travel reasons may be in a very different situation from someone whose application has been pending for the same amount of time but who has no immediate need for the certificate. This is why mandamus cases should be assessed individually.
What If IRCC Refuses the Citizenship Application?
Delay and refusal are two different legal problems.
Mandamus deals primarily with situations in which IRCC has not made a decision.
If IRCC eventually makes a decision and refuses an application, the applicant may instead need to consider whether there are grounds to challenge the decision through the Federal Court.
Ayodele Law also represents clients in Federal Court judicial review proceedings, including citizenship matters. Learn about Federal Court judicial review | Ayodele Law
The appropriate strategy depends on what IRCC has done — or failed to do — in the particular case.
Waiting for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate? Know Your Options
Bill C-3 expanded Canadian citizenship to people who had previously been excluded by Canada's citizenship-by-descent rules.
For many families, that was an important change. But recognition under the law and receiving the documentation needed to prove citizenship are not always happening at the same speed.
With citizenship certificate processing times now reported at approximately 33 months, applicants who have already been waiting for a lengthy period should keep careful records of their application, correspondence with IRCC and any consequences caused by the delay.
If your citizenship certificate application has been delayed and you want to understand whether further action — including a Writ of Mandamus — may be appropriate, Ayodele Law can review your circumstances and discuss your legal options. Book a consultation with Ayodele Law
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration and citizenship laws, policies and processing times can change. Legal options depend on the specific circumstances of each case.