The Citizenship Ceremony: What to Expect

The ceremony is the moment you become a Canadian citizen. It is not an exam and nothing in it can be failed, but it has a set order and a few rules worth knowing in advance. Here is what IRCC describes on its page about what to expect at the ceremony, checked on 23 September 2026.

Who takes the oath

Everyone 18 and older takes the oath, and so do minors aged 14 to 17. IRCC encourages the parent or guardian who applied for a 14-to-17-year-old to attend and help them. Children under 14 do not take the oath, but they are welcome to attend with the parent or guardian who applied for them.

What the invitation tells you

The invitation gives the date and time, whether the ceremony is virtual or in person, a video link or a location, and the language of the ceremony: mostly English, mostly French, or bilingual. IRCC sends it at least one week before the date.

How the day runs

Both virtual and in-person ceremonies last a few hours, and your invitation gives the arrival time and the length. They generally include:

• registration, where officials verify your identity and ask questions to confirm nothing prevents you from becoming a citizen
• the ceremony itself, with speeches, the oath, congratulations and the national anthem
• video presentations
• a chance for photos with the presiding official and any special guests
• instructions about your certificate, a passport and what to do next

At registration in person, officials collect your permanent resident card. In a virtual ceremony, they cut it with scissors on camera. Large ceremonies can have more than 100 candidates, so there is waiting while everyone is registered.

The oath and the form

You take the oath together with everyone else, repeating it after the presiding official. IRCC encourages you to repeat it in both English and French if you can. You also sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form, which confirms you took the oath. It has to be signed on the day you take the oath, not the day before or after.

How to behave and what to wear

IRCC asks for business attire appropriate to the occasion. Traditional, religious or ceremonial clothing, head coverings, a face covering, a medical mask and the colours red and white are all welcome. If you wear a face covering, you are asked to remove it briefly at registration to confirm your identity, and can do so in a private room.

At any ceremony, do not present personal or political views or promote a business. In person, stand for the oath and O Canada if you can, and do not wear perfume or cologne. Photos of yourself and your family are fine, for personal use.

After

If you chose a paper certificate at an in-person ceremony, you receive it there. The rest of what follows, from the certificate to a passport, depends on your choices. Studying is behind you, but if someone in your family is still preparing, our free practice questions and study guide are where to start.