Question Regarding Definition of Legal Parent
Posting this for my wife (also posted on r/Canadiancitizenship ):
Hello everyone,
I have a question regarding whether a chain of descent would count as having an adoption or not (I apologize in advance if this is confusing). My father was adopted by his stepfather (who married his biological mother). His stepfather has a direct ancestor born in Canada and would be considered a citizen via descent (the stepfather has since passed on). My father's birth certificate lists the stepfather as his father, and he (my father) has the same last name as the stepfather.
Would the stepfather be considered his legal father in the eyes of the IRCC? It is unclear if the birth certificate ever showed a different father/last name, now the only available record shows the stepfather. I understand Canada states that a legal parent must be listed on the original birth certificate (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship/helpcentre/glossary.html#legal-parent), but to my understanding the "original" (i.e. physical copy the US government has on file) lists his stepfather?
Just curious if this would count as a chain of descent, or if I would be ineligible for C-3 because IRCC would view my father as adopted. Thank you for your time!