British Columbia Naturalization and Citizenship

Online Resources

 * 1859-1926 - How to Use this Collection; Index and images
 * 1915-1951 - Canada Naturalization Records, 1915–1951 (Library and Archives Canada database)

Naturalization and Citizenship before 1871

 * British Columbia did not join Canada until 1871, so naturalization and citizenship were handled by the colonial government(s) before 1871.
 * The earliest naturalization records are Oaths of Allegiance signed from 1859 and are in the British Columbia Archives. These records are included in this online collection: British Columbia Naturalization Records, (FamilySearch Historical Records).
 * Many times, local newspapers reported on naturalization and citizenship hearings and decisions. For articles from the earliest years in British Columbia, search the British Colonist Online, 1858-1910.
 * Christopher J. P. Hanna indexed British Columbia Naturalizations from 1859 to 1882. His index is available in the British Columbia Genealogical Society's Walter Draycott Library. A British Columbia Genealogical Society (BCGS) volunteer is re-indexing these records and that index, an on-going project, is on the BCGS BC Research Projects page.

Naturalization Records, 1915–1951 Database

 * Naturalization Records, 1915–1951 (Library and Archives Canada database)
 * This database is one of the few Canadian genealogical resources specifically designed to benefit those researchers with roots outside of the British Commonwealth.
 * References located on the digitized lists can be used to request copies of the actual naturalization records, which are held by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
 * The database provides access to two sets of records.
 * The first set covers the years 1915 to 1946 and contains 491,849 references to names that occurred in 1915 to 1946 lists that were published in order of certificate number; and in all supplementary lists of special cases that were added at the end of the normal annual lists for all years from 1915 to 1946. Information on these people has been entered and is searchable by name, given name and country.
 * The second set covers the years 1947 to 1951 and contains the digital images of the lists published in the Canada Gazette during those years. Information has not been entered and is not searchable by name, given name and country. It is searchable only by month and year of publication in the Canada Gazette.

Naturalization Records Held by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada holds records of naturalization and citizenship from 1854 to the present.

1854-1917 Card Index
The originals of records dated between 1854 and 1917 have been destroyed. However, a card index by name has survived, which provides information compiled at the time of naturalization, such as: The index rarely contains any other genealogical information. Please note that Library and Archives Canada does not hold a copy of that card index.
 * present and former place of residence;
 * former nationality;
 * occupation;
 * date of certification; and
 * name and location of the responsible court.

After 1917
Records created after 1917 are more detailed, indicating:
 * surname;
 * given name;
 * date and place of birth;
 * entry into Canada; and
 * names of spouses and children.
 * The file will typically include the original petition for naturalization, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police report on the person, the oath of allegiance, and any other documents.

Writing for Records
Requests for searches of naturalization/citizenship indexes and records from 1854 to the present should be signed and mailed to:
 * Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Access to Information and Privacy Division Ottawa, ON K1A 1L1 Canada

Please note that the following conditions apply:

The application for copies of records should indicate that it is being requested under Access to Information. It must be submitted by a Canadian citizen or an individual residing in Canada. For non-citizens, you can hire a freelance researcher to make the request on your behalf. Fee: $5.00, payable to the Receiver General for Canada. The request must be accompanied by a signed consent from the person concerned or proof that he/she has been deceased 20 years. Proof of death can be a copy of a death record, a newspaper obituary or a photograph of the gravestone showing name and death date.


 * Please note that IRCC requires proof of death regardless of the person’s year of birth.
 * Your request should include the full name, date and place of birth, and if possible, the Canadian citizenship number or naturalization certificate number.
 * Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents can make a request for information under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. However, you may ask a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident to submit an Access to Information request on your behalf. Keep in mind that the records will be mailed to the requester within Canada. It is also important to note that we require written consent (signed and dated) or proof of executorship, if the individual whose personal information is being sought has been deceased for less than 20 years.