New Brunswick will soon raise the fees it charges for certified historical records, an important issue for many people claiming Canadian citizenship by descent. The change matters especially to applicants with family roots in the province, as these records are often required by IRCC to prove lineage. Longer wait times, high demand, and changing access systems are also affecting how quickly families can move forward.
New Brunswick fee changes could affect citizenship by descent applicants
The Provincial Archives of New Brunswick says new pricing for record requests will begin on December 1, 2026. This matters to many people outside Canada, especially Americans with family ties to the province, because certified birth, marriage, and death records are often needed to support a citizenship by descent application.
For many families, these documents are not just part of genealogy research. They can be key legal evidence in an application to IRCC for proof of Canadian citizenship. If you are tracing a Canadian parent, grandparent, or earlier ancestor from New Brunswick, the archive may be one of the first places you need to contact.
At the time covered by the update, a certified copy cost $11 CAD per record, with an added charge of $1 CAD for each extra page. Shipping was included. However, the archive had not yet published the new fee schedule, and it had also not clarified whether pending requests would be charged at the old rate or the new one.
This uncertainty can be frustrating for applicants who are already dealing with document searches, family history gaps, and strict proof requirements. Anyone planning to apply for citizenship by descent should consider acting early and keeping copies of all correspondence, receipts, and file references.
If you are still mapping out your broader immigration to Canada process, it is important to understand that citizenship matters are handled differently from permanent residence streams such as Express Entry or the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program.
Why these records matter more now
IRCC expects original-source evidence
A major reason this issue is getting attention is that IRCC now places strong importance on records coming from the original source. In practice, that means a family tree printout, a screenshot from an ancestry website, or an informal transcription is usually not enough on its own. Applicants often need a certified document from the provincial archive or the correct vital statistics office.
For citizenship by descent cases, the quality of documentary evidence can make a real difference. The government must be satisfied that the claimed family connection is genuine and properly documented. If a birth registration, marriage certificate, or death record links generations together, it can help establish the legal chain needed for proof of citizenship.
Bill C-3 increased demand
Demand for these records has grown sharply since Bill C-3 took effect in December 2025. That law removed the first-generation limit that had prevented citizenship from passing beyond the first generation born abroad in many cases. As a result, more families began reviewing old records to see whether they now qualify.
This legal change opened new possibilities for people who had long believed they were excluded. In some cases, an applicant may not need to pursue one of the usual Canadian permanent residence pathways if they can prove they are already a citizen by descent. That is why record access has become so important.
Unlike economic immigration programmes, citizenship by descent does not depend on CRS points, work experience rankings, or language test competition. Someone exploring the CRS system or trying to improve a CRS score may be on a very different path from a person proving inherited citizenship. Still, both groups benefit from careful document preparation and professional review.
Backlogs, delays, and what applicants should expect
Processing times have stretched significantly
The archive has reported unusually high demand. In 2025, it handled roughly 100 genealogy-related requests per month. After the citizenship law changed, requests rose quickly. By spring 2026, the number of citizenship-related requests had reportedly reached about 400 per month, with a backlog of more than 1,000 files.
Wait times have grown with that surge. Earlier in 2026, an initial response could take several weeks. Later, the archive said staff might need at least 12 weeks just to begin work on a request. The latest estimate placed the wait at six months or longer before an archivist even reaches the file.
That does not mean the record arrives at six months. It simply means the request may only then reach the stage where staff can begin the actual search. If the record is on microfilm rather than in the digital collection, the process may take even longer. After payment is taken, delivery by ground mail may add another two to four weeks.
Why timing matters for families
These delays can affect life planning. Some people need proof of citizenship for a passport application, a child’s status, or relocation plans. Others are comparing citizenship by descent with other Canadian immigration pathways, such as family sponsorship, work permits, or Atlantic options like the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Where citizenship by descent may be available, it is often wise to investigate it early. It can be a very different route from applying through economic selection systems that may require IELTS or CELPIP results, French scores from TEF or TCF, educational credential assessments, and settlement planning. A delayed archive search can slow the whole decision-making process.
If you are unsure whether your family history supports a citizenship claim or whether another route would be better, it may help to assess your immigration options before investing time and money in the wrong application strategy.
How to search for the right records before you apply
Use the online tools first
New Brunswick has continued expanding access to historical records online. In late July 2026, the province added birth registrations from 1929 and marriage and death registrations from 1975. That pushed the online archive database beyond one million records.
Applicants can generally search births registered in New Brunswick before 1930, and marriages and deaths registered before 1976, through the archive’s available collections. For newer records, applicants may need to contact Service New Brunswick’s Vital Statistics office instead.
The province also launched a newer vital statistics search platform in July 2026. This system is intended to help users search records, monitor requests, and complete some parts of the process more efficiently. That is welcome news for applicants, although it does not remove the backlog.
Practical steps that may save time
Before submitting a request, search the online database carefully. If you locate the exact record, ordering a certified copy directly from the record page may be faster than sending a general inquiry. If you cannot find the document, county genealogical guides and parish-based church record references may help narrow the search.
Providing detailed information can make the archivist’s job easier. Helpful details may include:
- full names, including alternate spellings;
- approximate dates and places of birth, marriage, or death;
- parents’ names or spouse’s name;
- religious denomination or parish if known;
- county or community where the family lived.
The more precise your request, the better the chance of a cleaner and faster result. At the time of the update, online payment was still not fully available, so archive staff were contacting applicants directly to collect payment by Visa or Mastercard.
For people weighing multiple routes to Canada, this is also a good time to compare citizenship claims with other legal options, such as Canadian citizenship information, permanent residence planning, or economic streams like the Federal Skilled Worker Program. A careful legal review can help determine which path best fits your background and goals.
Immigration rules, document requirements, and government procedures can change quickly, so readers should always confirm current information with IRCC and the relevant provincial authority, or speak with a licensed immigration consultant before making decisions. EverNorth Immigration is here to help with experienced, professional support at every stage of your journey toward a new life in Canada, and you are welcome to book your free immigration assessment for a professional evaluation of your options.
