Recent changes to Canada's citizenship laws have opened the door to citizenship for millions of people with Canadian ancestry, but applicants face a crucial hurdle: proving an unbroken "chain" of documentation linking them to their Canadian ancestor .

The New Law: Bill C-3 and the End of the First-Generation Limit

On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3 came into effect, removing the previous "first-generation limit" on Canadian citizenship by descent . Under the old rules, Canadian citizenship could generally only be passed down to the first generation born outside Canada. Now, individuals born abroad before that date—who can trace an unbroken line back to a Canadian ancestor, whether a grandparent, great-grandparent, or further back—may also be Canadian citizens . This change is estimated to affect millions of people worldwide .

The new law applies to those born before the legislation came into effect. Children born abroad after December 15, 2025, are subject to a "substantial connection" test, which requires that their Canadian parent has spent at least 1,095 days (three years) in Canada before their birth or adoption .

The Crucial Hurdle: Proving the Chain

While the law may confer citizenship on many, actually proving it to the Canadian government is the difficult part. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires an unbroken "chain" of supporting documents connecting the applicant to their Canadian ancestor, generation by generation . As a CIC News article explains, "Having a Canadian grandparent, or any ancestor further back, may make you Canadian, but you still need to prove your status to the Canadian government to avail all the rights of a citizen" .

To get a Canadian citizenship certificate—the document proving status and used to apply for a passport—applicants cannot just submit their grandparent's birth certificate. They must also provide:

• The Canadian ancestor's birth certificate.

• Marriage certificates to account for any name changes.

• Long-form birth certificates for each generation in between, naming the parents.

• The applicant's own long-form birth certificate, naming their parent .

IRCC updated its guidance in June 2026 to emphasize this requirement, specifying that applicants must provide proof of "parentage and Canadian citizenship for your Canadian parent, grandparent and parental ancestor as applicable" .

The New Canadian Citizenship Backlog: A System Under Strain

The influx of applications since the law change has created significant backlogs. IRCC's published processing times for citizenship by descent have ballooned. As of July 2026, the department listed processing at approximately 19 months for proof of citizenship applications .

A Case Study in the Hidden Backlog

A report from New Canadian Media highlights a case that demonstrates the system's challenges. Razan Abu-Ghoush, a permanent resident, applied for citizenship by grant in July 2024, a standard path for permanent residents applying to naturalize. More than two years later, she is still waiting . IRCC's published data shows citizenship grants are generally processed within 12 months, but Abu-Ghoush's file was delayed for reasons her file did not reflect in the explanations she received .

Her GCMS records (the case management system) show that a security check was cleared within six weeks of filing . A separate residency question was raised and subsequently resolved by an officer in August 2025, but no one informed her, and her MP's office was told the delay was due to a security screening that her file showed was already passed . IRCC confirmed it does not proactively notify applicants or MPs when an internal eligibility requirement is met, and it does not track whether the explanations it provides match an applicant's file . This case illustrates a significant gap between IRCC's published processing times and the reality for many applicants, with no clear communication or accountability .

Who Is Eligible?

The Impact on Michigan

The new law is expected to have a massive impact in states with deep historical ties to Canada. A CIC News article estimates that tens of thousands of Michiganders may now be Canadian citizens without knowing it . The state's proximity to Ontario, its history as a French settlement, and waves of migration for work in the auto industry have created deep ancestral roots.

By 1900, Michigan was a top destination for Canadian immigrants . The U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey found an estimated 32,000 people in the state reported Canadian ancestry and 114,000 reported French-Canadian ancestry. The actual number of eligible individuals is likely much higher, as many people may be unaware of their own family history . Michigan's ties to Canada are so recognized that the state legislature declared a week in late September as French-Canadian Heritage Week to honour their contributions .

For eligible Michiganders, proving Canadian citizenship could open doors, including the right to enter, live, and work in Canada, access to programs like youth mobility schemes, and the ability to vote and run for office in Canada. There are no tax obligations simply from holding a citizenship certificate .

What Can Break the Chain?

The chain can be broken for several reasons. If a Canadian parent renounced their citizenship before their child was born, that child is not eligible . Similarly, if a parent was not a Canadian citizen at the time of their child's birth, even if they become one later, the child cannot claim citizenship by descent . Other complexities, such as multiple generations, name changes, and gaps in records, can also complicate the application process .

The first step for anyone with a Canadian ancestor is to map out their family tree and identify the paper trail . If eligibility is unclear or the chain is complex, seeking advice from a licensed immigration lawyer is strongly recommended .