Frequently asked questions:
International adoption

Citizenship process

How long will the citizenship adoption process take?

Canadian families planning to adopt a child in another country should understand that, even under ideal conditions, the adoption and citizenship processes will take at least six to eight months from start to finish. Depending on the child’s country of origin, it is not unusual for the process to last for two years or even longer. The department gives priority treatment to Canadian citizenship applications for these children.

Long periods of waiting can seem unreasonable to a family anxious to welcome a new member but, to ensure that the rights of the child are protected, international adoption is by necessity a rigorous process. Adoptions must be approved by the provincial or territorial government in Canada, and the government of the country where the child lives.

In addition, Citizenship and Immigration Canada must be satisfied that the child has not been sold, trafficked or abducted from their parents and that documentation for the child is valid. While not common, in countries where there is evidence of fraud or trafficking additional investigations may need to be undertaken. These investigations can cause lengthy delays.