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Citizenship Guide

Citizenship ceremony, oath and certificate

In short

In short: The citizenship ceremony is the last step. You take the Oath of Citizenship, sign the oath form and officially become a Canadian citizen. Ceremonies are held in person or online and last a few hours. You receive a paper certificate at an in-person ceremony, or an e-certificate (or mailed paper certificate) afterwards, depending on what you chose and the ceremony type.

Last reviewed: . Written and checked against official sources by ChowChow Labs, an independent study website. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.

Next step

Go to the official source for current rules and applications.

Read IRCC’s ceremony guidance (opens in a new tab)

What happens at the ceremony

A typical ceremony includes registration and an identity check, instructions, speeches by the presiding official, the oath, the national anthem and congratulations. In-person and virtual ceremonies follow the same steps.

What to bring

  • Your ceremony invitation (it has your arrival time, seat number or online link)
  • Your permanent resident card. Staff collect it at an in-person ceremony; at a virtual ceremony you’ll be asked to cut it, so have scissors ready.
  • The signed personal release and consent form from your invitation
  • A holy book, if you want to swear the oath on one (optional)
  • Business or traditional dress appropriate to the occasion

Always follow the instructions in your own invitation; they can differ from this list.

The Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship

You promise to be faithful to the King of Canada, to observe Canada’s laws, including the Constitution, which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and to fulfil your duties as a Canadian citizen. You can swear the oath (referring to your religious belief) or affirm it (without religious reference). You repeat it after the official in English or French, and you must sign the oath form on the day you take the oath.

Your citizenship certificate

  • Paper certificate: handed to you at an in-person ceremony, or mailed to your Canadian address a few weeks after a virtual ceremony.
  • E-certificate: available in your IRCC account after IRCC receives your signed oath form. Print it when you need to show it, for example to apply for a passport.
  • Check that your name, date of birth and other details are correct on the front and back. If something is wrong, follow IRCC’s Help Centre steps to fix it.
  • Don’t laminate the certificate or add a plastic coating. It can damage the document and make it unreadable.

Your first steps as a citizen

  1. Keep your certificate somewhere safe.
  2. Apply for a Canadian passport before you travel. Your certificate isn’t a travel document.
  3. Register to vote with Elections Canada.
  4. You no longer need a PR card, and you don’t need to tell IRCC when you move.

Common questions

When do I become a citizen?

When you take the Oath of Citizenship at your ceremony and sign the oath form.

Can I take the oath online?

Yes. IRCC holds both virtual and in-person ceremonies. Your invitation tells you which one you’re attending.

Official sources

Government pages are in English and French.

Canadian Citizenship Test Prep is an independent educational resource made by ChowChow Labs. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC, Elections Canada or the Passport Program. Official rules can change: always confirm details with the linked authority. For questions about your own case, contact IRCC or a licensed lawyer or immigration consultant.