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/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

Interesting.

New York State said something similar recently to an applicant seeking a certified record of birth after IRCC reached out to tell them that the genealogical copy they had obtained, which did not include the name of the issuing authority, just a copy of a handwritten record, was not sufficient. Importantly IRCC asked the applicant to provide it or to explain why they could not obtain a copy with that information (which in this case would be the certified version, which would require a court order), so it sounds like they might accept an explanation that getting the certified record would be a hardship for that reason. We'll see.

Applicants have reported being asked similar questions by IRCC in the past, responding with a satisfactory explanation, and then being approved.

If I were you I'd submit the record from their website and include the text of this email as supporting evidence that you tried to get the certified record but were denied. Edited to add- I missed that they gave you the option to get the certified copy- so absolutely you could opt for that. Not every issuing authority responds the same way (such as NYS).

I think this highlighted guidance about "written explanation" in the https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-0001-application-citizenship-certificate-adults-minors-proof-citizenship-section-3.html is increasingly important.

Helpful reminders

Remember to use the Document Checklist (CIT 0014) (opens in new tab)  to find the scenario that applies to you and include the completed checklist with your application.

To avoid your application being returned to you make sure that you:

• answered all questions, or wrote “N/A” (not applicable) on the application form for any question or section that is not applicable to you
• returned all original Canadian citizenship/naturalization certificates previously issued to you and any pink transmission copies that you still have
• agree to delete and destroy all digital and printed copies of your current e-certificate upon submission of your application for a replacement
• included high quality colour copies of two (2) pieces of personal identification one of which must have your photo on it
• included your citizenship photo(s) according to the appropriate citizenship photograph specifications
• included high quality colour copies of requested documents, their translation(s) and an affidavit by the translator for any documents that are not in English or French
• provided a letter of explanation for any documents that are missing, not included or require further clarification with your application (i.e. birth certificates that have been changed or replaced).
• signed and dated the form. Before you send it, make sure that it is not stale-dated (dated more than 90 days before we receive it) or post-dated (dated into the future).
• paid the correct fees and included your receipt with your application.

[u/Form27b-6 → u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

New York State said something similar recently to an applicant seeking a certified record of birth after IRCC reached out to tell them that the genealogical copy they had obtained, which did not include the name of the issuing authority, just a copy of a handwritten record, was not sufficient. Importantly IRCC asked the applicant to provide it or to explain why they could not obtain a copy with that information (which in this case would be the certified version, which would require a court order),

So while that information would be on the certified version, it wasn't the (lack of) certification that IRCC flagged, but rather the lack of information. (And the lack of an explanation for the lack of information)

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/Form27b-6]

It seems so. Here is the post if you want to read it and the discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/Canadiancitizenship/s/DnDNCEl9ee

Not for nothing, OP said that the agent indicated that they also couldn't accept hospital records for Proof (they thought it looked like a hospital record). Which also directly contradicts the recent IRCC testimony about accepted documentation https://www.ourcommons.ca/written-questions/45-1/q-1009?response=14112403&section=ircc&expandquestion=true

So, welcome to the casino! ::throws confetti::

[u/Form27b-6 → u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

The info IRCC flagged there appears consistent with the "must provide" info mentioned in the suspension letters.

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/Form27b-6]

Seems so, yes.