# Canadian Citizenship Application for Children Under 18 (2026 Guide)
Adding a child to a family citizenship application is one of the simplest parts of the whole process — but only if you know which form to use and which exemptions apply. This guide covers the standard path for permanent-resident children under 18 in 2026.
The two paths for children
There are two completely different routes to citizenship for a child:
Path 1: Standard application (CIT 0003)
For children who are already permanent residents of Canada, applying alongside or after a parent. This is the path covered in this guide.
Path 2: Direct grant for adopted children (CIT 0001)
For children adopted abroad by a Canadian citizen parent. They can become citizens without first becoming PRs. This is a separate process with its own form and timeline; not covered here.
Who qualifies for the standard path
A child can apply under CIT 0003 if all the following are true:
- Under 18 at the date the application is signed
- A Canadian permanent resident (PR card or Confirmation of PR record)
- At least one parent is either already a Canadian citizen or applying for citizenship at the same time
- Not subject to a citizenship prohibition (criminality, immigration enforcement, etc.)
Children under 18 do not need to meet the 1,095-day physical-presence requirement or any tax-filing requirement.
Form CIT 0003 — what's on it
Form CIT 0003 ("Application for Canadian Citizenship — Minors") is a shorter form than the adult version, but still needs:
- Personal information for the child (name, date of birth, country of birth)
- Personal information for the parent applying together with the child or who is already a citizen
- Address history of the child
- A signed declaration by the parent or legal guardian
- The child's signature if they are 14 or older
Documents to include for a minor's application
- Photocopy of the child's PR card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence record
- Photocopy of the child's passport (every page with stamps + bio-data page)
- Photocopy of the child's birth certificate
- Proof that at least one parent is a Canadian citizen or applying together — citizenship certificate, citizenship card, or the parent's CIT 0002 receipt
- Two citizenship-format photos of the child, taken within 6 months
- Signed declaration by the parent or legal guardian
- For children 14 or older, the child's signature on the form
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Fees for children
- Processing fee: CA$100 per child
- Right of Citizenship fee: Not charged for minors
- Total for one child: CA$100
A typical "family of four" application (two parents, two children) costs:
- Parent 1: $530 + $100 = $630
- Parent 2: $530 + $100 = $630
- Child 1: $100
- Child 2: $100
- Total: $1,460
Test and language requirements by age
| Child's age | Knowledge test | Language proof |
|---|---|---|
| Under 14 | Exempt | Exempt |
| 14–17, applying with a parent | Usually exempt (case-by-case) | Exempt |
| 14–17, applying alone (parent already a citizen) | Required | Required |
Children 14 and older who must take the test sit the same 20-question, 30/45-minute exam as adults. Most teen applicants pass at higher rates than adults because the Discover Canada material is closer to school civics curriculum than to adult life knowledge.
If your 14–17 year old needs to prepare, the [free Canadian citizenship practice test](/practice-test) is the same test bank used for adult preparation. There is no separate "junior" test bank.
The citizenship ceremony for children
All successful applicants — including children — attend the citizenship ceremony to take the Oath of Citizenship. For children:
- Children 14 and older raise their right hand and recite the oath like adults
- Children under 14 are present at the ceremony with their parent; the parent recites the oath on the child's behalf
- All children receive their own citizenship certificate
Ceremonies in 2026 are mostly held by Zoom, with some in-person ceremonies returning. Family members can attend in either format.
After citizenship
Once a child is a Canadian citizen they can:
- Apply for a Canadian passport (separate process, fee approximately $57 for under-3 to $120 for 3–15)
- Travel internationally as a Canadian
- Vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections once they reach voting age
- Sponsor relatives later in life under family-class immigration rules
For more on the full application process, read [How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship Step by Step](/blog/how-to-apply-canadian-citizenship-online-2026).
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Frequently Asked Questions
1Does my child need to be a permanent resident first?
Yes — a child must be a Canadian permanent resident to apply for citizenship under the standard process. The exception is children adopted abroad by a Canadian citizen parent, who can use the **direct grant of citizenship for adopted children** stream and skip the PR step entirely.
2Does my child need 1,095 days of physical presence?
**No.** The 1,095-day rule applies to adult applicants only. Children under 18 are exempt from the physical-presence requirement — they only need to be permanent residents at the time of application. This is one of the biggest practical advantages of including children on a family citizenship application.
3What is the fee for a minor's citizenship application?
CA$100 per child. There is no Right of Citizenship fee for minors. So one parent + one child costs $530 (parent) + $100 (right of citizenship) + $100 (child) = $730 total, paid online via the IRCC fee portal.
4Does my 15-year-old have to take the citizenship test?
Only if they apply *without* a parent. If your 15-year-old is applying alongside a parent who is also applying, they may be exempt from the test. If they are applying alone (e.g. parent already a citizen), they take the same 20-question test as adults aged 18–54.
5Does my child have to attend the citizenship ceremony?
Yes, all successful applicants — including minors — attend the citizenship ceremony. Minors take a modified form of the oath. Children too young to recite the oath (typically under 14) attend with a parent who recites on their behalf.