Canada Asks ‘Lost Canadians’ to Return Citizenship Certificates, June 18

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) department has asked an unknown number of people to return citizenship certificates they received under the new “Lost Canadians” law. The certificates are being reviewed over concerns about whether applicants submitted correct source documents. Bill C-3, which took effect in December 2025, expanded citizenship eligibility to people with distant Canadian ancestry. More than 4,000 people have already received certificates.

What the Law Changed

Bill C-3 expanded citizenship by descent beyond the first generation born outside Canada. Before the law, only children born abroad to Canadian parents could claim citizenship. The new rules allow people with grandparents, great-grandparents, and more distant Canadian ancestors to apply. Applicants must link their ancestry generation by generation using verified authentic documents. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab emphasized this requirement from the start.

Why IRCC Is Asking for Certificates Back

IRCC sent letters to certificate holders saying they “may not be entitled” to hold their certificates and asked them to surrender them. The review focuses on whether applicants submitted records from the correct source authority and whether they explained any records they could not obtain. IRCC confirmed it is reviewing a limited number of files but did not say how many people are affected. Experts note that suspending certificates after issuance is unusual in Canadian law.

What This Means for Affected People

Certificate holders have the chance to provide additional evidence to support their citizenship case. If the review confirms they are entitled to the certificate, IRCC will return it. Some applicants have already obtained Canadian passports and Social Insurance Numbers. One U.S. veteran, Shawn Davis Mooney, submitted 114 pages of documents showing his great-great-grandparent was born in New Brunswick and received approval in February. He now faces uncertainty about his status. Mooney told media his life is now in limbo after receiving the surrender letter.

Why the Backlog Happened

Immigration lawyer Chantal Desloges said a surge in applications caught the department by surprise. When tens of thousands of applications arrived suddenly, mistakes became easy to make. IRCC confirmed it is reviewing individual case processing but has not explained what errors triggered the review. The government has not specified exact criteria for determining whether misrepresentation occurred. This lack of clarity has created confusion among affected applicants.

Final Thoughts

IRCC is reviewing a limited number of “Lost Canadians” files over document concerns, not formally revoking citizenship. Applicants can submit additional evidence to resolve the issue. The uncertainty highlights risks for people who made major life decisions based on approved certificates.

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