Many Americans are now becoming Canadian citizens after Canada changed its citizenship law in late 2025.

The updated law removed the first-generation limit (FGL) on Canadian citizenship by descent for people born before December 15, 2025. This change opened the door for millions of people with Canadian family roots to claim Canadian citizenship & apply for a Canadian passport.

Among those who became eligible are several well-known Americans with French-Canadian ancestry. One example is Shiloh Jolie, daughter of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Shiloh and Angelina Jolie reportedly became Canadian citizens automatically after the law changed.

Genealogical researchers say Angelina Jolie’s family line traces back to Zacharie Cloutier, one of the earliest French settlers in Quebec. Researchers from Perche-Quebec found that Jolie shares this ancestor with several famous names, including singer Celine Dion, Madonna, and Queen Camilla.

The Canadian ancestry reportedly comes through Jolie’s mother, the late actress Marcheline Bertrand. Moreover, historical family records show that Marcheline Bertrand’s father, i.e., Rolland Bertrand, had strong French Canadian family roots connected to Quebec.

Under Canada’s updated citizenship law, even a distant Canadian ancestor may now be enough for a person to qualify for citizenship by descent.

New Law Opens Doors For Millions

Canada’s citizenship changes are expected to benefit millions of Americans, especially those with roots in New England.

Between 1840 and 1930, a very large number of French-Canadians moved from Quebec to the northeastern United States. Historians often refer to this migration period as the “Great Hemorrhage.”

Research by historian Patrick White estimates that around 25% of people living in New England today may have at least one Canadian ancestor.

Because of this history, many Americans are now discovering they may already qualify as Canadian citizens under the updated law.

For many families, old records and family stories are suddenly becoming important again as people begin tracing their ancestry back to Canada.

More Americans Are Applying For Canadian Passports

Many Americans who qualify for Canadian citizenship have no immediate plans to move to Canada. Instead, they are applying for proof of citizenship mainly to secure a second passport and keep future options open.

Some see Canadian citizenship as added security during uncertain political and economic times. Others simply want to reconnect with their family history and heritage.

To officially receive a Canadian passport, applicants must first apply for a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

This certificate confirms that the person is already a Canadian citizen under the law.

Documents Needed To Prove Citizenship

Applicants must provide official records showing a direct family connection to a Canadian ancestor.

These records may include:

  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificates
  • Death records

In many cases, applicants must collect documents covering several generations of family history.

For some Americans, finding these records has become the longest part of the application journey. Older records are often stored in provincial archives, churches, or local government offices across Canada.

Many applicants are now spending months gathering family documents before submitting their citizenship applications.

Processing Period For Citizenship Applications

At the time of writing, Canada’s citizenship department is taking roughly one year to finalize proof of citizenship applications.

After receiving the citizenship certificate, applicants can then apply for a Canadian passport.

Canadian passports are generally issued within 10 to 20 business days after the passport application is submitted.

As more Americans continue discovering Canadian family roots, immigration experts expect interest in citizenship by descent to remain strong throughout 2026.

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