<P> Among these documents, only the certificate of citizenship is still being issued by the Federal government . The certificate is automatically issued to an individual who has become a Canadian citizen through naturalization, but can also be issued to any Canadian upon request . If requested, a certificate is only issued after a complete investigation on whether the individual possess Canadian citizenship under current or historical legislation . The certificate replaced the wallet - sized citizenship card on 1 February 2012 and can be verified electronically, but unlike the citizenship card, it can no longer be used as an identification document as it does not contain a photo . The citizenship card was originally issued between 1954 and 1977 as a supplement of the larger certificate before the 1977 Act . Between 1977 and 2012, it was the only valid proof of Canadian citizenship for those who acquired citizenship through naturalization or by descent . </P> <P> As those who were born in Canada normally acquired citizenship at birth under both 1947 and 1977 Acts, birth certificates issued by the provincial or territorial government are usually considered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as adequate proof of citizenship . There are, however, complications when the person failed to acquire Canadian citizenship because of the exceptions listed under subsection 3 (2) of the Act . As the Federal government does not keep records of the immigration statuses of parents at birth, a person may be recognized as a Canadian - based solely on his or her birth within Canada when, in fact, he or she does not possess Canadian citizenship in accordance with subsection 3 (2). Deepan Budlakoti, a stateless man born in Ontario, was twice issued a valid Canadian passport based on his Ontario birth certificate before the Federal government realized that he is not a Canadian citizen under subsection 3 (2) and revoked his Canadian passport . </P> <P> Documents other than those listed above, including Canadian passports, are not considered as proof of citizenship, but a passport is issued only after review of other documentary proof, as noted above . Church - issued baptismal certificates and birth certificates issued by an authority other than a provincial or territorial government are also not proof of Canadian citizenship . Such certificates were common in Quebec, as the provincial government did not start to issue birth certificates until 1994 . </P> <P> A special birth certificate issued by the Department of National Defence to children of CAF members born abroad, known as DND 419, is not a proof of citizenship due to the lack of legal status of the certificate . This has caused difficulties for some individuals as they were forced to apply for a certificate of citizenship to confirm their status and to apply for a passport . </P>

Can a canadian passport be used as proof of citizenship