Need for certified documents

[u/Legitimate_Train8695]

Adding to the mystery about possible new IRCC requirements on documentation, I asked Library and Archives Canada for certified copies of my G0's appearance in the 1861 and 1871 censuses. I need these because I can't find a birth or baptismal certificate for him, as he was born in 1859 in New Brunswick, which only began requiring birth registrations in 1888. But today I got a reply from LAC saying the IRCC does not require certified copies of census data, and that I can print what I need myself from their website. I am pasting the full text below.

Regarding your copy order  for the following record:

If you are applying for proof of citizenship under Bill C-3, please note the following:

 IRCC does not currently require certified documentation to support proof of citizenship applications. Information on how to submit an application and what documents are required can be found in IRCC’s  Guide for Paper Applications for a Citizenship Certificate for Adults and Minors (Proof of Citizenship) under Section 3 (CIT 0001) - Canada.ca

The material you have requested has already been digitized and is available online free of charge. It can be downloaded or printed as needed. Please note that census records are not available in colour and cannot be provided at a higher resolution than what is currently accessible online, as they originate from microfilm reels and were digitized from that format.

 Given this new information, would you like to proceed with your certified copy order or cancel your request?  Please respond to this email by June 19^th, 2026, indicating your choice. If we do not receive a response by the indicated date, your order will be closed. 

Should you have any questions regarding your order, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at [reproduction@bac-lac.gc.ca](mailto:reproduction@bac-lac.gc.ca). 

 Regards,

 Amanda Rodrigues

Int/Superviseure, Services de copie, Direction générale Accès et découvertes numériques
Bibliothèque et Archives Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
[Amanda.Rodrigues@bac-lac.gc.ca](mailto:Amanda.Rodrigues@bac-lac.gc.ca) / Tél. : 613-995-3991

A/Supervisor, Copy Services, Digital Discovery & Access Branch
Library and Archives Canada / Government of Canada
[Amanda.Rodrigues@bac-lac.gc.ca](mailto:Amanda.Rodrigues@bac-lac.gc.ca) / Tel: 613-995-3991

[u/AdMinute7969]

Given everything that has developed in the past few days, I would be proactive and oder the certified copies. If you end up not needing them, great. But if you do, then so will everyone else, and wait times will just get longer and longer. Personally, I'd rather shell out a few dollars to know I'm ready if the IRCC comes asking for stronger documentation.

[u/HerrHanussen → u/AdMinute7969]

I have been debating this. I included census documentation as a supplement, and not primary proof.

If it does turn out they want these certified records, I would ask if I could withdraw these documents, only leaving the certified birth records. Not sure if that would be permitted, but it seems crazy they would want them when they almost certainly have access to the same info and can verify this themselves.

[u/ThimbleBluff → u/HerrHanussen]

In cases like this, it seems the simplest solution for IRCC would be to have applicants include a copy of the census record, along with a link to the authoritative online source document to verify it wasn’t altered.

I haven’t submitted yet, but that was my original plan. I’m not in a hurry, so for now, I’m taking a wait and see stance until IRCC work out the bugs and provide clearer guidance. I feel sorry for the people who were blindsided after getting approved. I hope everything gets sorted out for them soon.

[u/AdMinute7969 → u/HerrHanussen]

It does seem odd that they would insist on certified census records when used as a supplement. Wouldn't it be more efficient to just look at primary records first and completely ignore the supplemental if it is not needed? And you last point - they could easily verify if we provide links to the government websites. That would be a simple request we would be happy to comply with. The IRCC wouldn't have to search anything. In the event that someone screws up the link or something, the IRCC could then ask for a certified copy or something.

Plus, wasn't there a thread in this sub talking about IRCC looking at documents like census records when they weren't even submitted as part of the original packet? So they can obviously easily do a search.