Citizenship Ceremony Checklist 2026: Exact Documents IRCC Wants You to Bring

# What to Bring to Your Canadian Citizenship Ceremony 2026

Your citizenship ceremony is the final step of a process that took 12–18 months. The day itself is short — usually under an hour — but it requires specific documents and preparation. This checklist covers everything.

1. Notice to Appear letter

The official invitation IRCC sends to your online account about 4–8 weeks before the ceremony. Print a copy or have a clear digital copy ready on your phone. Officers verify identity against this letter at check-in.

2. Permanent Resident card

Bring it even if it has expired. You will surrender it at the ceremony in exchange for your citizenship certificate. IRCC keeps the PR card and shreds it later — this is the moment your status formally changes.

If you genuinely cannot find your PR card, you can attend, but you will sign a declaration explaining its absence. Note that you cannot use an expired PR card to travel after the ceremony — your citizenship certificate plus a Canadian passport is what you use from now on.

3. Two pieces of government-issued photo ID

Bring at least two of:

• Foreign passport
• Canadian provincial driver's licence
• Provincial photo ID card
• Provincial health card (where it has a photo)
• Citizenship card from another country
• Foreign national ID card with photo

A passport plus a driver's licence is the most common combination.

4. Any documents IRCC specifically requested

Read your Notice to Appear carefully. Some letters request additional documents — for example, original documents to verify a name change, or a court order if your file involved one.

5. A pen

You will sign the citizenship oath card and possibly other forms. Officers usually have spare pens but bring your own to be safe.

Smart-business or traditional cultural dress. Most candidates choose:

• Smart business: shirt and trousers / dress / suit / blouse and skirt
• Traditional cultural dress: encouraged; you will see saris, lehengas, dashiki, kente, áo dài, kebaya, jubbah, hanbok, traditional Indigenous regalia, and many more
• Clean and well-pressed: anything is fine as long as it looks intentional

Avoid:

• Jeans
• T-shirts with logos or graphics
• Sportswear or workout clothes
• Hats indoors (except for religious reasons)
• Sunglasses indoors

• Arrive 30 minutes early to clear security and check-in
• Allow 2 hours total for arrival, ceremony, and post-ceremony photos
• Most rooms allow 2 guests per new citizen — bring your closest family
• Children are welcome
• Some venues have parking; many do not — plan transit
• Phones on silent during the ceremony, but cameras allowed

If you are scheduled for a Zoom ceremony, prepare differently:

• Charge your device to 100% the night before
• Test your camera and microphone 30 minutes before the ceremony
• Have a stable internet connection — wired ethernet is ideal, strong Wi-Fi is acceptable
• Set up in a quiet, well-lit room — face a window or lamp
• Dress as you would for an in-person ceremony (camera will see you)
• Have your PR card and Notice to Appear within reach to show on camera if asked
• A second device as backup is wise — phone if your laptop is the primary

For more on what happens during a Zoom ceremony, read [Canadian Citizenship Ceremony Online — How Zoom Ceremonies Work](/blog/canadian-citizenship-ceremony-online-zoom).

• Large bags or backpacks — most venues have security and limited storage
• Food or drink — usually prohibited in the ceremony room
• Children's strollers if avoidable — they can be hard to manage in tight rows
• Banners or flags to wave — small handheld flags are fine but anything large blocks the view

• Family can take photos before and after the ceremony freely
• Photos during the ceremony are usually allowed — officers will say if not
• Many cities have a Canada flag photo backdrop in the foyer
• Some venues offer official ceremony photos by an IRCC photographer
• Bring a small Canada flag or maple-leaf pin if you want one for photos

You leave with:

• Your citizenship certificate (a paper certificate, A4 size, with your name and ceremony date)
• A welcome package with information about voting, passport applications, and federal services
• A small Canadian flag (in most ceremonies)

Within a few weeks, sign in to your IRCC online account and confirm the ceremony was recorded. Then [apply for a Canadian passport](/blog/apply-canadian-passport-after-citizenship) using the new certificate.

For a broader timeline of what happens between application and ceremony, see [How Long After the Test Until the Citizenship Ceremony](/blog/canadian-citizenship-ceremony-date-how-long-wait).