No Documentation but still a citizen

[pete96]

Hi, my uncle became a naturalized Canadian citizen in the early 1980s. However, he was living in Europe since then, and has only now returned to Canada to try and start a new life here, and bring his family with him. He has no Canadian passport, no Canadian ID such as a health card, driver's licenese, etc - No Canadian documentation whatsoever, he has lost whatever he might have had. The only thing he has is a certificate from a women's volunteer organization that was given to him as a gift on the day he became a citizen, it notes the day and location of the ceremony.

1. Would this certificate be enough for his minor son to use on the Proof of Citizenship under section 3 form to get the child a citizenship card - he has never lived here either?

2. Would this be enough to use for his wife's permanent resident application?

3. How can he get government ID, a passport, etc, if he has no documentation at all?

thanks

 

[Leon]

He needs to apply for proof of citizenship for himself as well as for his child. The instructions are here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/proof-how.asp

In his case, he should say that he is applying for a replacement because he has lost his citizenship certificate. He should tell them the date he became a citizen because it will help them find him. As the processing time is around 9 months, I would try to apply for both his and his sons certificates at the same time. I would send both applications in the same envelope and include a cover letter explaining his situation. He should also try to sponsor the wife at the same time.

Once he gets his and the sons citizenship certificates, he can apply for passports, see http://www.ppt.gc.ca/index.aspx

Once he is in Canada, he can easily go with either one of his passports and get a provincial ID card or a drivers license. He should also go to Service Canada with his wife and son. If he had a social insurance number but has lost the card, he can ask if he can get a new SIN card or a new number. The wife will need a SIN too if she is planning to work and the son will need one too if they want to open an interest bearing savings account for him.