Can you affirm the Oath instead of swearing it?

Yes. You can affirm the Oath instead of swearing it. The affirmation removes the religious framing but has identical legal effect. Just tell the ceremony official your preference beforehand — no explanation is required.

Who has to take the Oath of Citizenship?

Applicants aged 14 and older must take the Oath of Citizenship. Children under 14 become Canadian citizens without taking it — their parents take the Oath on their behalf.

What rights do I get the moment I take the Oath of Citizenship?

Canadian citizenship takes effect instantly when you finish the Oath. You can immediately apply for a Canadian passport, vote in federal and provincial elections, live anywhere in Canada without renewing a PR card, and access jobs requiring Canadian citizenship. Your citizenship does not expire.

What Is the Oath of Citizenship? Full Wording, Ceremony & What to Expect (2026)

The Oath of Citizenship is the final step to becoming a Canadian citizen. After you pass the citizenship test and meet every other requirement, you take the Oath at a citizenship ceremony — and the moment you finish, you are officially Canadian. Here is the exact wording, when you take it, and what to expect on the day.

The Oath of Citizenship (2026)

“I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada, His Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the Constitution, which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.”

What is the Oath of Citizenship?

The Oath of Citizenship is a formal promise of allegiance that every new citizen aged 14 and older must make to become Canadian. You say the Oath out loud at a citizenship ceremony, in person or virtually. It is the precise legal moment your citizenship takes effect — not the day you pass the test, and not the day your application is approved.

What is the exact wording of the Oath of Citizenship in 2026?

The version in the box above is the current official Oath. Two details often surprise applicants:

It names King Charles III. Since the accession of King Charles III in September 2022, the Oath refers to “His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada,” replacing the earlier reference to Queen Elizabeth II.
It recognizes Indigenous and treaty rights. In June 2021, the Oath was amended to explicitly affirm “the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples” — fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 94.

You may either swear the Oath (a religious form) or affirm it (a secular form, with no reference to God). Both have identical legal effect — the choice is entirely yours.

When do you take the Oath of Citizenship?

The Oath comes at the very end of the citizenship journey. The usual order is:

Submit your application and meet the residency requirement (1,095 days within 5 years)
Pass the citizenship test (required for applicants aged 18–54)
Receive an invitation to a citizenship ceremony
Take the Oath of Citizenship at the ceremony
Receive your Canadian citizenship certificate

Applicants 14 and older must take the Oath. Children under 14 become citizens without taking it.

What happens at a Canadian citizenship ceremony?

The ceremony usually lasts about an hour and is led by a citizenship official (a judge or an IRCC officer). You will:

Check in and confirm your identity
Listen to a short address about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
Recite the Oath of Citizenship together, led by the official, in English or French
Sign the Oath or Affirmation form
Receive your citizenship certificate
Sing the national anthem, “O Canada”

Ceremonies may be held in person or over video. Either way, the Oath is the heart of the event.

Do you have to memorize the Oath for the citizenship test?

No. The citizenship test never asks you to recite the Oath, and you do not need to memorize it. The test draws entirely from the Discover Canada guide — history, government, rights, and geography. At the ceremony you read the Oath aloud from a card or screen, so there is nothing to memorize in advance. That said, understanding what the Oath means — allegiance to the Crown, obeying the law, and respecting Indigenous and treaty rights — reflects exactly the kind of civic knowledge the test rewards.

Can you take the Oath by affirmation instead of swearing?

Yes. If you prefer not to swear a religious oath, you can affirm instead. The affirmation removes the religious framing but carries the same legal weight, and no one will question your choice. You simply tell the ceremony official your preference beforehand.

Pass the Test First

The Oath comes after you pass the citizenship test. Get ready with free, realistic practice questions.

Start Free Practice Test

Related: See the full path in Canadian Citizenship Application 2026: Eligibility, Test & Oath, or download the official guide in Discover Canada Study Guide PDF — Free Download.

What should I bring to the citizenship ceremony?

IRCC sends a detailed invitation letter before your ceremony. In general, bring:

Your invitation letter — required to enter
Your permanent resident (PR) card — for identity verification
A passport or other government-issued photo ID
Any supporting documents IRCC specifically requests in your invitation

Do not bring your original application files — IRCC has everything on record. There is no formal dress code, though most applicants dress respectfully for the occasion. Family and friends are welcome at in-person ceremonies to watch the Oath being taken.

What is the difference between an in-person and a virtual citizenship ceremony?

IRCC has offered virtual ceremonies by video conference since 2020. Both formats carry identical legal weight — the Oath takes effect the same way whether taken in a courthouse or over Zoom. The key differences:

In-person: Held at IRCC offices, courthouses, or community venues. Guests can attend. You receive your citizenship certificate on the day.
Virtual: Held over Zoom or Microsoft Teams. You join from home with a government-issued photo ID visible on camera. Your certificate is mailed within a few weeks.

IRCC assigns the ceremony format — you do not choose. The format depends on processing volumes and regional capacity at the time your file is ready.

How long is the wait between passing the test and the ceremony?

After you pass the citizenship test (or are approved at an interview), IRCC schedules a ceremony. As of June 2026, the wait between a test result and a ceremony invitation typically ranges from a few weeks to several months, depending on your region and application volumes. IRCC does not publish separate wait times for this step. Track your file status through the IRCC secure online portal.

What rights do I get the moment I take the Oath?

Canadian citizenship takes legal effect the instant you finish the Oath. From that moment you have full citizenship rights, including:

The right to apply for a Canadian passport (typically ready in 10–20 business days)
The right to vote and run for office in federal, provincial, and municipal elections
The right to live and work anywhere in Canada without a PR card
The right to pass citizenship to children born outside Canada (subject to rules)
Access to federal public service and security-clearance jobs requiring Canadian citizenship

Your Canadian citizenship does not expire and cannot be revoked except in extremely rare cases involving fraud. There is no need to renew it.

Related: Review the exact wording of the Oath and other key test answers in our citizenship test questions and answers hub.