Question: When and how do I apply urgently for a search of citizenship records?
Answer: We can process applications faster than our normal processing times in special cases.
You can ask for urgent processing if you need to

confirm to a foreign government that you’re not a citizen (for example, to get a passport from that country)
administer the estate of a deceased person or execute a will
show you are (or are not) a citizen to get a certain job

Your request for urgent processing must include

an explanation letter
supporting documents, for example
	
a letter from a foreign government stating that they need the information
documents that show you’re administering an estate or the executor of a will
a letter from an employer



We review your request to see if it qualifies. Even if you qualify, we can’t guarantee that you’ll get your search of citizenship record on time.

You must choose between applying online or on paper.

To get someone else’s record , you can only apply on paper.
Do not submit both online and paper applications for the same request.
			
If you do, we won’t process your duplicate application.





Answer a few questions to find out how to request urgent processing.


Have you already applied?

Yes
						
How did you apply?

On paper
								
Where do you live?

In Canada or the United States 
Outside Canada or the United States



Online



No
						
Who are you applying for?

Myself
Someone else









You applied on paper from Canada or the United States
Fill out the web form (opens in a new tab)  to explain why you need urgent processing.
Include

your full name, date of birth, email address and telephone number(s)
a message that starts with “Request for urgent processing”
			
Make sure your documents are in the correct format.






You applied on paper from outside Canada and the United States
Contact the Canadian embassy, consulate or high commission (opens in a new tab)  where you submitted your application.



You applied online
Fill out the web form (opens in a new tab)  to explain why you need urgent processing.
Include:

your full name, date of birth, email address and telephone number(s)
a message that starts with “Request for urgent processing”
any documents that will support your explanation
			
Make sure your documents are in the correct format.






You haven’t applied yet: Get your own records urgently
You may choose to apply online or on paper for your own records.


Apply online urgently
We’ll ask you if you need urgent processing in the online application.
Answer “Yes” and

explain why you need urgent processing
upload documents to support your explanation

Our online application tool works best in Google Chrome. Once you start the application, you have 60 days to submit it.
Create an account or sign in


Apply on paper urgently

Complete the application package (opens in a new tab) 
Include with your application

a letter explaining why you need urgent processing
documents to support your explanation


Pay your application fee (opens in a new tab) 
Submit your application
					
Write Urgent – search of citizenship records in large, dark letters on the envelope.
Find out where to submit your application (opens in a new tab) 








You haven’t applied yet: Get someone else’s records urgently

To get someone else’s record (opens in a new tab) , you need to apply on paper .
Do not apply online. If you do, we won’t process your online application.


Complete the application package (opens in a new tab) 

Include with your application
					
a letter explaining why you need urgent processing
documents to support your explanation




Pay your application fee (opens in a new tab) 
Submit your application
			
Write Urgent – search of citizenship records in large, dark letters on the envelope.
Find out where to submit your application (opens in a new tab) 






File format requirements


Files must be

in PDF, JPEG, TIFF, DOC, or DOCX format
2 MB or smaller

If you include multiple files, the total size must be 3.5 MB or smaller.
How to reduce file size (opens in a new tab)