Renunciation of citizenship — s 9
Overview
A Canadian citizen may voluntarily renounce their citizenship under s 9 of the Citizenship Act. The key requirements are that the renouncing person must be a citizen of another country (or will become one on renunciation) and that the renunciation must not render them stateless. The Minister may refuse a renunciation if the person would become stateless or if they are a PR of Canada (they must have obtained or become eligible for another citizenship first). Renunciation is final — once citizenship is renounced, the person is no longer Canadian, unless they later resume citizenship under s 11.
Common reasons for renouncing Canadian citizenship include: the laws of another country do not permit dual citizenship (some countries require renunciation of other citizenships); estate planning; avoiding double taxation; or personal preference. Renunciation is not reversible except through the resumption process under s 11.
Legal basis
- Citizenship Act s 9(1) — a citizen who is 18 years of age or over and is a citizen of a country other than Canada (or who will become one upon renunciation) may renounce citizenship
- Citizenship Act s 9(2) — the Minister shall approve the renunciation unless it would render the person stateless
- Citizenship Act s 11 — resumption of citizenship after renunciation
How it works
Requirements for renunciation
- The person must be at least 18 years old
- The person must currently hold citizenship of another country, or will acquire citizenship of another country upon renunciation
- The renunciation must not render the person stateless
Process
- Submit a renunciation application to IRCC with evidence of another citizenship (or pending citizenship) and the applicant's Canadian citizenship certificate or passport
- IRCC reviews the application to confirm the eligibility requirements are met
- If approved, IRCC issues a Declaration of Renunciation; citizenship ceases from the date of the declaration
Minors and renunciation
Minors (under 18) cannot renounce their own citizenship. A parent cannot renounce a minor child's citizenship on their behalf. The child must reach 18 to apply to renounce.
Resumption after renunciation
A person who has renounced Canadian citizenship and later wishes to reacquire it may apply for resumption of citizenship under s 11, provided they are a permanent resident of Canada and meet the standard grant criteria (physical presence, language, knowledge). See the resumption page.