The Oath of Citizenship: what it says and what it means

Every new Canadian citizen makes the same short promise: the Oath of Citizenship. It is only one sentence, but each part of it has a meaning. Questions about the oath can also appear on the citizenship test. This page shows the words of the oath, explains each phrase in plain English, and describes what happens when you take it.

The words of the oath

The oath is set out in the Citizenship Act. This is the wording new citizens use today:

“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.”

In simple words, you make three promises: to be loyal to the King of Canada, to obey Canada’s laws, and to carry out your duties as a citizen.

What each phrase means

“I swear (or affirm)”

You choose how to make the promise. To swear is to make a solemn promise, and many people who swear do so for religious reasons. To affirm is to make the same solemn promise without a religious form. Both are equally valid, and the choice is yours.

“be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada”

Allegiance means loyalty. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, and the King is Canada’s head of state. Canadians give their loyalty to a person who represents all Canadians, not to a flag, a document or a political party. The Sovereign stays above party politics, so this promise is not support for any party or for the government of the day.

Notice the words King of Canada. King Charles III is also the Sovereign of the United Kingdom and some other countries, but Canada has its own Crown. In the oath he is named as Canada’s King. You are not promising loyalty to Britain or to any other country. You can think of the King as the person who embodies the Canadian Crown, the symbol of the Canadian state as a whole.

“His Heirs and Successors”

These are the people who will follow the King on the throne. Your loyalty is to the Crown of Canada over time, not only to one person. When the throne passes to a new Sovereign, citizens do not take the oath again.

“faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the Constitution”

Here, observe means obey or follow. It does not mean “look at”. You promise to respect all of Canada’s laws. The Constitution is Canada’s highest law, and since 1982 it has included the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This promise reflects the rule of law: everyone, including the government, must follow the law.

“which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples”

This part was added in 2021. It comes from the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which studied the history and the harm of residential schools. In 2015 the Commission published 94 Calls to Action. The last one, Call to Action 94, asked the government to change the oath so that new citizens would also promise to respect treaties with Indigenous peoples. Parliament changed the oath in response.

The new words follow section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, which recognizes and affirms the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. So new citizens now say clearly that these rights are part of the Constitution they promise to respect. Note that affirms here means “confirms”. It is a different use from “affirm” at the start of the oath.

“and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen”

To fulfil means to carry out. Discover Canada lists the responsibilities of citizenship: obeying the law, taking responsibility for yourself and your family, serving on a jury when called, voting in elections, helping others in the community, and protecting Canada’s heritage and environment. The oath does not include a promise of military service. In Canada, military service is voluntary. Read more in our Rights and Responsibilities chapter.

Where and when you take the oath

You take the oath at a citizenship ceremony, after your application is approved. Your invitation tells you the date, whether the ceremony is in person or online, and what to bring. A citizenship judge or another official leads the ceremony, and the new citizens say the oath out loud together.

This moment matters: you become a Canadian citizen when you take the oath, not when you pass the test. Until then, you are still a permanent resident. After the ceremony you receive proof of your citizenship. Our guide After the test explains the steps between the test and the ceremony.

Because English and French are Canada’s official languages, the oath also has an official French version with the same meaning. You may hear both languages at your ceremony.

At the ceremony: a few respectful habits

• Follow your invitation exactly. Arrive or join on time, and bring the documents it lists.
• Dress neatly. It is a formal and happy event. Many people dress as they would for an important family occasion.
• Silence your phone and listen carefully to the official’s instructions.
• Say the oath clearly and out loud. Read the words a few times before the day so that you feel calm.
• If your ceremony is online, join from a quiet place and check your device and internet connection in advance.
• Learn O Canada. Ceremonies usually include the national anthem, and singing it is a moment many new citizens remember. Our Canadian Symbols chapter covers the anthem and other symbols.

Above all, remember that the oath is a serious promise. Take a moment to think about what it means before you say it.

Oath words that appear in test questions

Common mix-ups

• The oath is to the King of Canada, not to the Prime Minister, the Governor General, the flag or the Constitution.
• You may swear or affirm. Swearing is not the only option.
• The oath names three peoples: First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
• The oath does not include a promise of military service or of joining a political party.

Practise oath questions in the Rights and Responsibilities chapter, then try a full practice test.