If you are an Indian-origin family planning to claim Canadian citizenship by descent through a parent, grandparent or an earlier ancestor, the success of your application could depend on just two documents.
Under updated Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rules introduced in June 2026, birth records and marriage certificates have become the most important evidence for proving an unbroken family line to a Canadian ancestor. The changes also require applicants to submit records issued by the original authority, making document collection more important than ever.
