Online Self‑Administered Citizenship Oath

Summary#

This is a proposed change, published on February 25, 2023, that would amend the Regulations Amending the Citizenship Regulations (Oath of Citizenship) to give the government more ways for people to take the Oath of Citizenship. The proposal would allow a secure online, self‑administered oath (so no authorized official needs to be present), which the government says could shorten final processing by up to 3 months and has an estimated cost of $4.92 million (PV) over 10 years. Public comments were invited for 30 days after publication.

What it does#

• Gives the Minister broader discretion to decide how the Oath of Citizenship may be taken, including by means the Minister makes available (for example, a secure online option).
• Allows people to take the Oath without an authorized person present (self‑administered online) or to continue taking it before an authorized person (virtual or in‑person ceremony).
• Removes ceremonial procedures from the written regulations and moves them into departmental guidance on the department website.
• Confirms that a certificate of Canadian citizenship will still be issued after the Oath is completed.
• Confirms there would be no fee for taking the Oath regardless of the method.
• The department estimates implementation costs of $4.92 million (PV) over 10 years, including $0.06 million (PV) in transition costs and $4.86 million (PV) in ongoing costs. The department said the changes were expected to come into force in June 2023, though the official rule in the draft says they come into force when registered.

Who's affected#

• People applying for Canadian citizenship who must take the Oath. They would get an extra option to complete the final step online.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada staff and citizenship judges, because some ceremonial duties and scheduling could change.
• Employers or workplaces indirectly, because applicants may no longer need to take time off work to attend weekday ceremonies.
• The notice says Canadian small businesses would not be affected.

Why it matters#

• It creates a faster, more flexible way for newcomers to complete the last legal step to become citizens. The department expects some applicants could become citizens up to 3 months sooner if they use the online option.
• Fewer in‑person or virtual ceremonies are likely. That could reduce scheduling delays and lower the department’s ceremony costs, but it also changes how people experience the formal ceremony.
• This is a proposed regulation (Part I). It was open for comment after publication and was not yet final law at the time of the notice.