The federal government has suspended an unspecified number of Canadian citizenship certificates that were issued under recent changes to Canada's citizenship-by-descent legislation.

Individuals affected received notices from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) instructing them to return their citizenship certificates while officials review their files.

According to the notices, concerns relate to supporting documentation that may not have met requirements regarding original source records or explanations for unavailable records.The suspensions affect people who obtained citizenship following the passage of Bill C-3 in late 2025.The legislation expanded eligibility for citizenship by descent beyond the previous first-generation limit for people born outside Canada.

The reform was introduced after courts ruled the previous restrictions unconstitutional and sought to address the situation of so-called 'lost Canadians.

' More than 4,000 people worldwide have reportedly received citizenship certificates under the new rules, with roughly half residing in the United States.Some recipients say the decision has created significant uncertainty.

Several had already begun planning moves to Canada, while others were relying on their citizenship status for employment, education, or access to services.

Immigration lawyers interviewed by CBC described the action as highly unusual, noting that citizenship certificates are rarely suspended after being issued.

Legal experts suggested the government may have identified concerns about documentation in a number of approved applications and is now conducting additional reviews.

At the same time, demand for citizenship certificates has increased substantially since the law changed, contributing to longer processing times and a growing application backlog.

Lawyers expect the suspensions to face legal challenges, particularly from individuals whose lives and relocation plans have been affected by the government's decision.