Oath of Citizenship Canada: the words and what they mean

What is the oath of citizenship in Canada?

The oath is a short promise you say aloud at your citizenship ceremony. You say it in front of the presiding officer, together with the other new citizens. Here are the exact words, as they stand in the Citizenship Act today.

Last checked: 31 October 2026

The oath in English

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.

The Act was changed in 2021 to add the words about the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

The oath in French

Serment:

Je jure fidélité et sincère allégeance à Sa Majesté le Roi Charles Trois, Roi du Canada, à ses héritiers et successeurs et je jure d’observer fidèlement les lois du Canada, y compris la Constitution, qui reconnaît et confirme les droits, ancestraux ou issus de traités, des Premières Nations, des Inuits et des Métis, et de remplir loyalement mes obligations de citoyen canadien.

Affirmation solennelle:

J’affirme solennellement que je serai fidèle et porterai sincère allégeance à Sa Majesté le Roi Charles Trois, Roi du Canada, à ses héritiers et successeurs, que j’observerai fidèlement les lois du Canada, y compris la Constitution, qui reconnaît et confirme les droits, ancestraux ou issus de traités, des Premières Nations, des Inuits et des Métis, et que je remplirai loyalement mes obligations de citoyen canadien.

These are the words you say today. The printed text of the Citizenship Act still names Queen Elizabeth the Second, who died in 2022. At the ceremony the oath names the current King, His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada. The rest of the words are the same as in the Act.

What each part means

"I swear (or affirm)." You choose how to say it. Swearing is for people who want to refer to their religious belief. Affirming is for people who do not. The promise is the same, and you can bring a holy book if you swear.

"Faithful and bear true allegiance to the Sovereign." You promise loyalty to the Sovereign, who is Canada's head of state. The chapter on how Canadians govern themselves in Discover Canada explains the role of the Crown.

"Faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the Constitution." You follow Canadian law, and the Constitution is the highest law.

"Which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples." You accept that the Constitution protects the rights of Indigenous peoples. This is the part added in 2021.

"Fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen." You take on the duties that come with citizenship. The book the test is based on, Discover Canada, has a chapter on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

When do you say the oath?

At your citizenship ceremony, after you are called in and registered. You say it with everyone else. Then you sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form on the same day, and that confirms you took the oath.

IRCC asks you to practise before the day. Many people say the words at once, so repeating after the presiding officer is normal. If you can, say it in English and in French. At the ceremony you also sing O Canada.

Read the whole day in what happens at the citizenship ceremony.

Does the oath come up in the test?

The test covers rights and responsibilities, history, government, laws and symbols. The oath touches several of those topics at once: duties, the Constitution, Indigenous peoples and the Crown. Knowing it helps you on the day, and it is a handy way to link those topics when you study.

Want to practise first?

Try the free practice test. When you want more full mocks, see the prices.