Canadian Citizenship for Children Under 18

Children become citizens through their own application, but the rules are lighter than for adults, and which process applies depends on the parents. This is from IRCC's page on who can apply, checked on 23 September 2026.

What a minor does not have to do

Every minor under 18 is automatically exempt from proving language skills and from taking the citizenship test. A child under 14 also does not take the oath. There is nothing to request for these exemptions.

Two processes

Minor 5(2)

This is the usual route. It applies if the child has a Canadian parent, or a parent applying for citizenship at the same time. The application is made by a parent, biological or adoptive, or a legal guardian.

The requirements are short. The child must:

• be a permanent resident
• take the oath if aged 14 to 17
• not be under a prohibition

There is no physical presence requirement under 5(2).

Minor 5(1)

This applies when the child has no Canadian parent and no parent applying at the same time. The application can be made by someone who has custody of the child or can legally act for them, and that person does not have to be a Canadian citizen. If nobody can apply for them, a minor can apply alone by ticking the waiver box in the signature section.

Under 5(1), the child has more to meet:

• be a permanent resident
• 1,095 days of physical presence in the five years before the parent or guardian signs, including at least 730 days as a permanent resident
• file taxes in Canada where required
• take the oath if aged 14 to 17, and not be under a prohibition

Children aged 14 to 17 must also sign the application themselves.

The fee

A minor's application costs $100, which is the processing fee only. Minors do not pay the right of citizenship fee. That is from IRCC's fee list, and it is worth checking on the day you apply.

Interviews and the ceremony

A 14-to-17-year-old applying without a parent at the same time can be invited to an interview, and then both the minor and the person who applied for them must attend. At the ceremony, 14-to-17-year-olds take the oath, and IRCC encourages the parent who applied to come and help. Children under 14 are welcome to attend with that parent. With an in-person ceremony, their paper certificate is handed over there too.

A family applying together

When a family applies together, IRCC processes the applications together. If someone in the family fails the test, IRCC says it may be able to separate some applications so the others can attend the ceremony on their own. You ask by emailing the address in the Rescheduling section of the test invitation.

For the adults in the family, the test is the requirement that needs the most preparation. Our free practice questions and study guide are built for it.