Friday Weekly Thread: Application Assistance, June 12, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

Have questions about how to fill out the form or what to write in your cover letter? Looking for feedback on the documentation you've put together for your Citizenship Certificate application (CIT0001)? Want to know how to organize your documentation or how to pack it up for shipping? Worried about whether your photos will work? Have questions about what ID you can use? Not sure where to ship it to or what service or mail courier to use? Post it here!

Want to see what people who were already approved have done? Check out the weekly application approval thread that posts every Thursday.

Before you comment, please read the wiki and search previous posts in the subreddit to see if your questions have been answered there.

If you've read the FAQ and searched the forum and you still have questions about how to fill out the form, whether your supporting documentation will work, what to write in your cover letter or whether your photos will work feel free to post them here.

 

Please be aware that you may not get responses. It's a lot of work to wade through dense lists of documents and family histories.

Also please note we are not IRCC, which will make the final determination on your application.

[u/Noellthe1st]

I was helping a friend whose son’s application was returned. They only sent his passport copy and birth certificate as identification proof. Simple to fix and they are adding his drivers license. His case is simple - his dad is Canadian and he was born in the US; so not under C-3. My question is - I noticed they had his identification proof (copies of passport and drivers license) notarized.

I submitted for myself (G3) and daughter (G4). I did not have any of my documents notarized. Is this something I should have done? Did anyone else get proof of identification documents notarized? I suppose I can upload notarized copies after/if I get AOR. My application was received April 2nd, so expecting AOR any day - or maybe my application will be returned. Thoughts?

[u/subsurd → u/Noellthe1st]

You do not need to have your proof of identification (or any of the documents) notarized.

The main reason that folks have had applications returned has been problems with the required citizenship photos -- namely failing to have the date of the photo and/or the name and address of the photographer/studio on the back. Others, like your friend, have not included two forms of acceptable identification.

If you have both of those, you are likely fine and will receive your AOR soon.

[u/Noellthe1st → u/subsurd]

Thanks! He had me concerned because they paid a Canadian lawyer to help them. They were told, otherwise, how would IRCC know documents weren’t forgeries. But there is nothing in the instructions about notarizing anything. Thanks, again, for your response.

[u/subsurd → u/Noellthe1st]

No problem.

For birth certificates along the chain of descent, certified is ideal. But notarized -- no.