New Hampshire is among the top states for Canadian passports, i.e., residents of New Hampshire may now have a strong chance of qualifying for Canadian citizenship. It is estimated that more than one in four people in the state could be eligible for dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship.

This is possible because Canada recently changed its citizenship law. The new rule allows citizenship to be passed down through many generations, without any limit.

The change came into effect on December 15, 2025. Under this law, anyone born before that date can claim Canadian citizenship if they can show a family connection to a Canadian ancestor. The number of generations does not matter.

This change has a big impact on New Hampshire. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the state has one of the highest levels of Canadian ancestry in the country, with about 8.06% of residents reporting Canadian roots.

However, the real number may be much higher.

Why New Hampshire Has Strong Canadian Roots?

The high level of Canadian ancestry in New Hampshire comes from a large migration that took place in the past.

Between 1840 and 1930, about 900,000 French-speaking Canadians moved from Quebec to New England. Many of them settled in New Hampshire.

These workers moved mainly for jobs in mills and factories. Over time, they built strong communities in the state.

In fact, mill workers in New Hampshire even developed their own form of French.

By 1910, around 23,000 French Canadians were living in Manchester. This made up about 38% of the city’s population, based on research by genealogist Kim Kujawski.

Historical records also show that the number of French-Canadian residents in the state grew quickly. It increased from 1,780 people in 1860 to more than 100,000 by 1930.

Because of this large migration, experts believe that Canadian ancestry in New Hampshire could be close to or even above 30%.

According to Ed McGuire, former president of the Vermont Genealogy Library, nearby Vermont has about 30% Canadian ancestry. New Hampshire is believed to have similar numbers.

Today, many residents in the state are descendants of these early settlers.

What Does This Mean For Eligible Residents?

Under Canada’s updated Citizenship Act, residents of New Hampshire with even one Canadian ancestor may already be considered Canadian citizens.

However, they must still apply for proof of Canadian citizenship to confirm their status.

Once they receive this proof, they can apply for a Canadian passport.

To apply, they need to show documents that prove their family link to a Canadian ancestor.

These documents may include:

  • Birth certificates
  • Baptismal records
  • Marriage certificates
  • Other official records

Experts say that church records, especially from Roman Catholic churches, can be very helpful in tracing family history.

Challenges In The Application Process

Finding the right documents can be difficult for many applicants.

This is often the biggest challenge in the process.

Many records are stored in Quebec, where many French-Canadian families came from.

The Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec holds many of these older records. Since the law change, this archive has seen a large increase in requests.

Requests from local residents are often handled first. Because of this, some Americans choose to work with Canadian-based immigration lawyers or consultants.

These professionals can help collect documents and prepare the application correctly.

Steps To Apply For Citizenship And Passport

Once all documents are ready, applicants must submit them to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Most applicants will need to send a paper application.

At present, it takes about 10 months for the application to be reviewed and completed.

Moreover, after receiving the citizenship certificate, the person can apply for a Canadian passport.

Canadian passports are usually issued within 10 to 20 business days. There is also a 30-day guarantee on service timelines.

Options For Applicants

Eligible residents in New Hampshire can choose how they want to complete the process.

Some prefer to manage the application on their own.

Others choose to hire a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer in Canada.

These professionals can help reduce errors and make the process smoother.

Palina Immigration Consultancy, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at Palinaimmigration.com.