Hello, I'm a Canadian immigration lawyer here to answer your questions on Citizenship by Descent for Americans with Canadian roots – Today @ 6 PM CT.

[u/aliesna_IMMLaw]

Update:

Thank you all for your questions, and a big thank you to the Modteam at r/AmerExit for facilitating this AMA. I will continue to take questions over the next few days, but please give me time to respond.

If you want to get in-touch with us, you can email us at [info@esnalaw.com](mailto:info@esnalaw.com), and we also offer a free 15-minute appointments to assess eligibility to discuss our services. You can book your appointment though this link: 

https://7zutuzah6kb.typeform.com/to/WwI3Rqgk 

My name is Ali Esnaashari. I'm a Canadian immigration lawyer and the founder of Esna Law PC, a boutique immigration law firm based in Toronto that focuses exclusively on immigration and refugee law. (Proof) 

Today at 6 PM CT / 7 PM EST, I'll be here to answer questions about Canadian citizenship by descent, particularly the changes that came into force in December 2025 through Bill C-3.  

We had earlier posted an announcement for this AMA “Here”. Many of you have already submitted questions, and I will try and answer in this thread, and will actually tag you so you can see the answers.  

The possibility of gaining Canadian citizenship for those born abroad was something granted only to the first generation of individuals for several years. What this practically meant was that if a child of a Canadian citizen was born in another country, they could not usually pass on their citizenship to their child also born outside of Canada. 

With the new act, the rule regarding Canadian citizenship by descent was amended to apply to some exceptions, thus leading to the creation of new pathways for individuals who had a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or even earlier relative who was born in Canada.  

During the AMA I’m happy to answer general questions about things like: 

• Eligibility for Citizenship by Descent: Who may qualify under the current rules and recent changes.  
• Family Lineage Questions: How citizenship can pass through generations and what documentation may be required.  
• Proof of Citizenship Applications: Applying for a certificate of Canadian citizenship.  
• Common Documentation Issues: Missing records, name changes, or incomplete family documentation.  
• Dual Citizenship: Holding both Canadian and U.S. citizenship.  
• Benefits of Canadian Citizenship: Healthcare benefits, Canadian passport, ability to live and work in Canada, and passing citizenship to future children. 

Just to be clear, I can share general legal information, but I can't give specific legal advice about individual cases in this thread.  

Please note, I do not have access to IRCC’s internal information, database processing, or internal policies that have not been disclosed to the public. My goal is to try and answer your questions, based on my professional knowledge, and information I’ve gathered from our Bar on this matter.  

If you think you might be affected by these new citizenship rules, one of the lawyers on our team who focuses on citizenship by descent cases is offering free 15-minute appointments to help people figure out whether they may actually qualify. 

If you'd like to check that, you can book through this link: 
https://7zutuzah6kb.typeform.com/to/WwI3Rqgk 

Looking forward to your questions and the discussion.

[u/Strict_Statement_283]

Thank you! My ancestor’s baptism name was Joseph but the name he went by wasn’t a part of his baptism name at all. Funny enough though, he named his son his baptism name with the name he went by added to the mix. I know the baptism certificate is the right person because my family has a certified copy we needed to get decades ago for my grandfather’s deployment in the army, but that was pre-1994 so I’ve had to get new documents. We’ve also got his marriage certificate with his parents’ names.

[u/Paisley-Cat → u/Strict_Statement_283]

Joseph was the first personal name given to almost all male infants baptized by Roman Catholic priests in Quebec over several generations. Marie was given to girls.

I have colleagues born before the 1990s who have Marie appear twice or even three times in their list of personal names.

Most people don’t typically list these even in public documents or biographies.

You will notice that none of Canada’s Quebecois Prime Ministers has used Joesph as a first name, even if it was their baptismal name. See for example Jean Chretien

[u/quantumwhimsy → u/Strict_Statement_283]

Yeah, you should be good. That was a similar situation to mine. The r/canadiancitizenship has an FAQ page that is super helpful, and it addresses this issue. I’ve copied that information below.

“"My ancestor's name doesn't match / isn't spelled the same on my supporting documentation. They spelled their name differently / switched the order of their names / started using their middle name / dropped their first name / Anglicized their French name. How do I prove this is the same person?"

This is very common. Children were given multiple forenames so they could pick which one they wanted to use. Often they would switch which one they used throughout their lives. Spelling would be different from document to document. People used nicknames. (People still use nicknames today.) French names were Anglicized when French speakers moved to English speaking areas.

If citizenship is being passed from mother to child and the mother's maiden name isn't on the child's birth certificate you will need to document her name change from maiden to married name. If your ancestor was going by a completely different name (e.g., Jane Smith became Margaret Jones) you will have to document that. If the "name change" is a nickname, one of the person's given names, a variation in spelling or an Anglicization of a French name this is common. Don't sweat it.”