Introduction

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) finalized 3,040 proof of citizenship applications in June 2026. However, the number of applications waiting for a decision continued to increase during the month.

Here’s what the latest data means for people applying for proof of Canadian citizenship.

What Is Proof of Canadian Citizenship?

First, it is important to understand that a proof of citizenship application is not an application to become Canadian.

Instead, it is for people who already have Canadian citizenship but need an official citizenship certificate to prove it.

For example, this can include people who became Canadian citizens:

• By birth;
• Through a Canadian parent or ancestor; or
• Through an earlier citizenship process.

The certificate can also be needed when someone has lost or needs to replace their previous proof of citizenship.

IRCC Finalized 3,040 Applications in June

According to the latest IRCC data, the department finalized 3,040 proof of citizenship applications in June 2026.

Overall, IRCC finalized 31,980 applications between January 1 and June 30, 2026. By comparison, the department had reported 28,940 finalized applications by the end of May.

Therefore, the June figure represents a noticeable slowdown compared with the average monthly number recorded earlier in the year.

At the same time, the number of applications waiting for a decision increased significantly.

The Backlog Continues to Grow

The number of pending proof of citizenship applications rose from 82,020 at the end of May to 99,520 by June 30.

That means the waiting list increased by 17,500 applications in just one month.

Moreover, IRCC’s August processing-time data indicates that approximately 121,800 applicants are now waiting for a decision.

As a result, applicants may need to prepare for longer processing times.

Why Did Processing Slow Down in June?

One major reason appears to be a temporary IRCC review of citizenship certificates.

During June, IRCC reviewed around 6,500 certificates that had already been issued to some recipients in the United States. As part of this review, the department temporarily paused the finalization of some new citizenship-by-descent applications.

The review was completed on June 30.

Of the certificates reviewed, 100 were flagged for potentially insufficient documentation, while 33 were later reinstated after IRCC confirmed that the supporting evidence was sufficient.

Consequently, the temporary pause likely contributed to the lower number of applications finalized in June.

Why Are More People Applying for Proof of Citizenship?

Demand for proof of citizenship has increased following changes to Canada’s citizenship-by-descent rules.

On December 15, 2025, Canada removed the previous first-generation limit for certain people born outside Canada.

Previously, a person born abroad could face restrictions when trying to claim Canadian citizenship through a parent who was also born outside Canada.

Now, eligible individuals may be able to claim Canadian citizenship through a Canadian grandparent, great-grandparent or even a more distant Canadian ancestor, depending on their circumstances.

As a result, more people are checking their family history to determine whether they may already be Canadian citizens.

Many Applicants Are From the United States

The change in citizenship rules has generated particular interest in the United States.

For instance, many descendants of French Canadians who moved to the US during the 19th and early 20th centuries are now exploring whether they may qualify for Canadian citizenship.

Therefore, the number of proof of citizenship applications could remain high as more people learn about the updated rules and gather documents proving their Canadian ancestry.

Should Eligible People Still Apply?

Despite the longer processing times, eligible individuals may still want to submit their applications.

IRCC’s processing estimates depend partly on the number of applications already waiting in the system, staffing levels and expected application volumes.

Therefore, delaying an application does not necessarily mean receiving a faster decision later. In fact, waiting could mean joining an even longer queue.

If you believe you may already be a Canadian citizen through a Canadian parent, grandparent or another ancestor, it is important to first determine whether you meet the current citizenship requirements.

Proof of Citizenship vs. Citizenship Grant

Finally, proof of citizenship and a citizenship grant are two different processes.

Proof of citizenship is for someone who is already a Canadian citizen and needs official documentation confirming their citizenship.

On the other hand, a citizenship grant is for a permanent resident who is applying to become a Canadian citizen for the first time.

The difference is significant because the two applications follow different processes and have separate processing queues.

As of June 30, IRCC had finalized 162,020 citizenship grant applications since the beginning of 2026, while 326,190 citizenship grant applications were still waiting for a decision.

What This Means for Applicants

Overall, the latest figures show that proof of citizenship applications are facing increasing demand and a growing backlog.

While IRCC finalized more than 31,000 applications during the first half of 2026, the number of pending applications has continued to rise.

Therefore, anyone who believes they may qualify for Canadian citizenship by descent should carefully review their eligibility and supporting documents before applying.

Get in touch with SPS Global

Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).