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Cohen Immigration Law, since 1976

You may already be Canadian.
Find out in three minutes.

A 2025 Canadian law restored citizenship to millions of Americans with Canadian roots. If your parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was born in Canada, you might be a Canadian citizen and not even know it.

  • Bill C-3 has been in force since December 15, 2025.
  • If you qualify, you’re already a citizen. You just have to prove it.
Step 1 of 3

Your Canadian connection

Start with the Canadian relative in your lineage.

Your Canadian connection
Which relative may have been born in Canada?

Pick the closest one in your lineage. We'll capture any others on the call.

Your information is confidential. No spam, no obligation.

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  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • AQAADI — Association québécoise des avocats et avocates en droit de l'immigration
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Law Society of Ontario / Barreau de l'Ontario

One Canadian ancestor is all it takes.

Bill C-3 restored citizenship retroactively to families previously cut off by the first-generation limit. Any one of these born in Canada puts you in the line.

BORN IN CANADA

You are a citizen, full stop. We help you secure your citizenship certificate and a Canadian passport.

BILL C-3, IN FORCE

DEC 15, 2025

Canadian grandparent or further back.

Cut off by the first-generation limit. Citizenship was restored retroactively. You don’t apply for citizenship: you file for recognition of the citizenship you already have.

Why Americans are claiming this year.

01 · A SECOND PASSPORT, FOR LIFE

It’s permanent. It transfers to your kids. You never have to move.

Dual citizenship is for life. Children born before December 15, 2025 inherit Canadian citizenship through you automatically. Most of our clients hold the status for optionality (school, work, healthcare, Plan B) and never relocate.

185+Visa-free destinations

The Canadian passport opens the EU, the United Kingdom, Japan, and most of the world without a visa.

9 to 12 moIRCC backlog, rising

Application volume has surged since Bill C-3 took effect. Earlier filings clear the queue first.

The lawyers behind your case.

Senior attorneys at Cohen Immigration Law, backed by a team of some 60 lawyers, paralegals, and staff.

  • Portrait of Daniel Levy

    Daniel Levy

    Senior Attorney

    Leads citizenship by descent, business immigration, and work permits. Named in Who's Who Legal, 2018 to 2021.

  • Portrait of Olivia Cohen

    Olivia Cohen

    Immigration Attorney

    Graduated from McGill's Faculty of Law. Dedicated to upholding the firm's esteemed reputation.

  • Portrait of Ala Bujac

    Ala Bujac

    Senior Attorney, Head of Operations

    Runs firm operations. Member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Canadian Bar Association.

  • Portrait of Gabriel Dumitrascu

    Gabriel Dumitrascu

    Senior Attorney

    Expert on federal, provincial, and Quebec economic immigration programs.

How it works.

Three steps from question to citizenship certificate. Lawyer-led at every step.

  1. 01

    Free assessment

    1–2 business days

    Tell us about your Canadian ancestor. A lawyer reviews your line and replies with next steps within one to two business days.

  2. 02

    Document gathering

    2 to 8 weeks

    You collect the birth, marriage, and citizenship records that prove your lineage. If your Canadian ancestor was born in Quebec, we can request the records on your behalf.

  3. 03

    File with IRCC

    9 to 12 months at IRCC

    We prepare and submit your proof-of-citizenship application, then track it through approval and your Canadian passport.

Questions, answered.

Will I lose my US citizenship?
No. The United States permits dual citizenship. Becoming a recognized Canadian citizen does not affect your US status.
Do I have to move to Canada?
No. Canadian citizenship is a status, not a residence requirement. Many of our clients hold the passport for optionality and never relocate.
How much does this cost?
The IRCC government fee for a proof-of-citizenship application is CAD $75. Our service fee covers legal review and document gathering; we quote it after your free assessment based on the complexity of your case.
How long does it take?
IRCC is currently quoting 9 to 12 months from submission. Document gathering on our end typically takes 2 to 8 weeks, depending on how easily the records are located.
What if I don’t have the documents?
If your Canadian ancestor was born in Quebec, we can request the records on your behalf. We verify everything before we file with IRCC.
Can my children get citizenship too?
Yes. Children born before December 15, 2025 inherit Canadian citizenship automatically through you. Children born after that date are subject to a substantial-connection test (1,095 days of physical presence in Canada by the Canadian parent).
What if my Canadian ancestor’s name was changed?
Common with French-Canadian families (Pierre to Pete, Beaulieu to Beaulu). We use secondary records, census, deeds, and military files to establish identity even when names shifted across borders.

Find out if you’re already Canadian.

Three minutes to start. A lawyer reads every submission and replies within one to two business days.

Free · Confidential · No spam

Step 1 of 3

Your Canadian connection

Start with the Canadian relative in your lineage.

Your Canadian connection
Which relative may have been born in Canada?

Pick the closest one in your lineage. We'll capture any others on the call.

Your information is confidential. No spam, no obligation.