How Do I Register My Child For Indian Status

How to apply for Indian status

Notice out if you lot're entitled to be registered nether the Indian Act and how to apply.

COVID-xix-related updates

To discover out if it's possible to apply for registration in person, visit Phone call ahead for in-person services.

To find out how to employ for COVID-19-related benefits, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Indigenous communities.

Recent changes

Equally of December ten, 2020, you can select a not-binary gender identifier on the awarding form when applying for registration or a status carte du jour: M (male), F (female) or X (another gender).
On July 31, 2020, the Quebec Superior Court issued its conclusion in the case of Hele c. Attorney General of Canada (Hele conclusion), ruling that unmarried women could not be enfranchised under the 1951 Indian Human activity.
- If you were unmarried or your female parent or grandmother was unmarried and enfranchised past awarding as an adult between September iv, 1951, and April 17, 1985, you may be affected by that decision.
- To detect out more well-nigh enfranchisement and the steps the Government of Canada is taking to accost the Quebec Superior Courtroom's conclusion, visit Addressing enfranchisement of unmarried women in registration.

Update on eliminating known sex-based inequities

Every bit of Baronial fifteen, 2019, Neb S-iii amendments addressed all known sexual activity-based inequities in the registration provisions of the Indian Deed. On December 11, 2020, the third and concluding report to Parliament on the review of Neb Due south-3 was tabled.

To find out what the Government of Canada is doing to ensure equity between the sexes in registration, visit Bill S-3: Eliminating known sexual practice-based inequities in registration.

Are you lot entitled to be registered under the Indian Deed
Have known sex activity-based inequities in the Indian Human activity afflicted your entitlement to registration
How do you apply for registration
What do you need to submit with the awarding for registration
- for an adult (16 or older)
- for a child (fifteen or younger) or dependent developed
Are you entitled to be registered through a parent non listed on your proof of birth certificate
What other documents exercise you lot need to submit if you lot're adopted
Tin yous employ for someone else
Where can you submit the application
How are original documents returned
How long does it accept to be registered
What is the 10-digit registration number
When practise you become eligible for the Non-Insured Health Services program
Tin y'all protest the Registrar'south decision

Are you entitled to exist registered under the Indian Deed

Entitlement to registration under the Indian Act is based on the caste of descent from ancestors who are registered or entitled to be registered.

To detect out if you're entitled to be registered, inquire yourself:

Are either or both of my parents registered or entitled to be registered?
Are whatsoever of my grandparents registered or entitled to be registered?
Is anyone in my immediate or extended family registered or entitled to be registered?

You may be entitled to be registered if:

at least i of your parents is registered or entitled to be registered under subsection 6(one) of the Indian Act

both of your parents are registered or entitled to be registered under subsection 6(one) or 6(two) of the Indian Act

Accept known sexual practice-based inequities in the Indian Human action affected your entitlement to registration

Your or your ancestors' date of nascency and life events, such as marriages and divorces, may take affected your entitlement to registration.

Between 1985 and 2019, the Indian Act was amended to address sexual activity-based inequities and comply with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

Neb C-31 restored entitlement to women who had lost entitlement due to union to a non-entitled man, entitling their children to registration as well
Bill C-three granted entitlement to grandchildren of certain women who regained entitlement nether Bill C‑31
Bill S-3 eliminated all known sexual activity-based inequities not addressed by Bill C-31 or Nib C-3, entitling all descendants built-in earlier April 17, 1985, or from a marriage that occurred before that engagement, of women who had lost their entitlement due to wedlock to a not-entitled man

If your entitlement to registration has been affected by known sexual activity-based inequities in the Indian Act, you may now have the right to exist registered if:

your mother, grandmother or great-grandmother lost her entitlement through marriage to a non-entitled homo before April 17, 1985

your mother, grandmother or great-grandmother was born exterior of spousal relationship to an entitled male parent and a not-entitled mother betwixt September four, 1951, and April 16, 1985

your parent, grandparent or keen-grandparent lost their entitlement because of their mother'southward marriage to a non-entitled human being earlier April 17, 1985

your parent's, grandparent'due south or peachy-grandparent'due south name was omitted or deleted from the Indian Register or from a Kickoff Nation membership list because of their non-entitled father

To discover out more, visit:

Bill S-three: Eliminating known-sex based inequities in registration
Removal of the 1951 cut-off
How do you lot apply for registration

call 1-844-280-5011

If you applied for registration before the Indian Deed was amended

If you applied for registration earlier the Indian Deed was amended and your application is waiting to be processed, it will automatically be processed based on the amended Indian Act. You don't need to reapply.

If you practical for registration before the Indian Human action was amended and your application was denied, you need to reapply.

If yous take questions about your application for registration, contact Public enquiries.

Amending your registration category

If known sexual activity-based inequities in the Indian Act have affected your entitlement to registration, your registration category may be amended.

To asking a category amendment, you must submit a copy of valid acceptable identification also as a signed and dated written request with your proper noun, registration number and mailing address:

in person at
- any regional office
- any Start Nation role, if applicable
by mail to
- Application Processing Unit
  Indigenous Services Canada
  Box 6700
  Winnipeg MB R3C 5R5

How do y'all apply for registration

Step ane: Get the awarding grade

online
by mail, past calling Public enquiries
in person, at any regional office
in person, at whatever First Nation role, if applicable

Stride 2: Detect a guarantor, if necessary

You must find a guarantor if:

applying past mail
submitting identification that doesn't meet all of the requirements for valid acceptable identification
submitting an application in person on behalf of an adult or on behalf of a parent or legal guardian applying for a child or dependent developed
submitting a photo using the SCIS Photo App

Find out who can human activity as a guarantor.

Pace 3: Fill out the application

Detailed instructions on filling out the application for adults (sixteen or older) and for children (15 or younger) or dependent adults are available online.

Yous must provide data about yourself, or the child or dependent developed, and ancestors, such as parents or grandparents, including :

legal name
date of nativity
First Nation name
registration number, if applicable
contact data
adoption information, if applicable

If your parents are entitled to membership or citizenship with different First Nations, yous may have a choice of First Nation affiliation. You lot may choose which First Nation on the application form or submit a split up First Nation option statement.

If your First Nation controls its own membership or citizenship, you may need to apply to the Outset Nation separately to become a member or denizen.

To help decide entitlement to registration, it'southward also helpful to provide:

the names of any relatives, such equally brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles or cousins, who are registered or entitled to be registered
whatever relevant information that may aid place them in records at Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and link them to you, the child or dependent adult

If your or the child or dependent adult'southward parents or grandparents aren't registered, provide as much information as possible nigh your First Nation ancestors or those of the child or dependent adult. ISC volition research its records to determine entitlement to registration. Any relevant information provided will aid speed up that inquiry. In complex cases, ISC may contact yous for more information.

To research family unit genealogy, visit Indigenous genealogy.

Indicate if you wish to receive a Secure Certificate of Indian Status, or secure status card, when filling out the application.

If you lot don't submit photos with the application, y'all or the child or dependent developed volition be registered if entitled, simply a secure condition card won't be issued. You can always apply for a status bill of fare later.

Footstep 4: Sign and date the application

Before submitting the application, make sure you've:

filled out all relevant sections, including the checklist
signed and dated the form
included all necessary documents
included photos if also applying for a secure status card
included a guarantor declaration, if necessary

If the application is for a kid or dependent adult, all parents listed on the proof of nativity document, or all custodial parents or legal guardians listed on the legal documents, must sign the form.

Footstep v: Submit the awarding

To avert delays in processing the application, you must submit all necessary documents, including the checklist, with the consummate application form.

What practise y'all need to submit with the awarding for registration

For an adult (16 or older)

Yous must submit:

a complete application for registration for adults (sixteen or older)
an original proof of birth document with parental information
- to get an original proof of birth certificate, visit the Vital Statistics website from the province or territory where you were born
original valid acceptable identification or a copy of the front end and of the dorsum of the identification, each copy signed and dated by a guarantor
a guarantor annunciation, if necessary
if besides applying for a secure condition card, a digital photo using the SCIS Photo App or 2 printed photos that encounter the photograph requirements

If the proper name on the application course is different from the name on whatever of the other necessary documents, yous must also submit:

an original legal proper name-linking document, such as a change of name document, a marriage certificate or a divorce order, that links the previous name with the electric current name

a copy of a legal name-linking document and a copy of valid acceptable identification with the name that is on the application form

For a child (15 or younger) or dependent adult

If applying for a kid (15 or younger) or dependent adult

The applying parent, custodial parent or legal guardian must have the authority to human activity for the child or dependent adult in legal and financial matters.

You lot must submit:

a consummate awarding for registration for children (xv or younger) or dependent adults
an original proof of birth certificate with parental data
- to get an original proof of nascency document, visit the Vital Statistics website from the province or territory where the child or dependent developed was born
original valid adequate identification of the applying parent, custodial parent or legal guardian or a re-create of the forepart and of the back of the identification, each copy signed and dated by a guarantor
for a child (xv or younger), any legal documents granting custody or guardianship of the child to the applying parent or legal guardian, if applicable
for a dependent adult, the guardianship order
a guarantor announcement, if necessary
if also applying for a secure status carte, a digital photo using the SCIS Photo App or 2 printed photos that meet the photo requirements

If the child or dependent adult'southward proper name on the application grade is different from the name on the proof of birth document or legal documents, you must also submit:

an original legal name-linking document, such as a change of name certificate, that links the previous proper name with the current name

a copy of a legal proper name-linking document and valid acceptable identification with the name that is on the application class

If the name of the applying parent, custodial parent or legal guardian is unlike from the name on whatsoever of the other necessary documents, you must also submit:

a re-create of a legal name-linking document, such as a change of name certificate, marriage certificate or divorce order, that links the previous name with the current proper noun

Are you entitled to be registered through a parent non listed on your proof of birth document

A proof of birth document listing the names of the parents is the main document needed to support entitlement to registration.

If i of the biological parents isn't listed on the proof of birth certificate but is registered or entitled to be registered, y'all tin submit:

an original amended proof of nascency document list the unstated parent's name

statutory declarations, 1 from the parent listed on the proof of nativity document naming the unstated parent and 1 from the unstated parent acknowledging parentage

a courtroom order declaring parentage

original DNA testing results evaluated by a laboratory accredited past the Standards Quango of Canada demonstrating a conclusive parent-child relationship

If you tin't submit any of those documents, y'all may submit:

statutory declarations from family unit members, close relatives, Elders or customs members
census records
church records
hospital records
school records
band council resolutions
Showtime Nation membership or citizenship list
any other credible evidence

Response to the Gehl decision

In response to the Gehl decision, the Regime of Canada amended the Indian Deed to include a new provision that addresses situations of unknown or unstated parentage.

What other documents do you demand to submit if you're adopted

Applicants who were adopted as minors by registered or entitled to be registered parents through a legal or custom adoption may be entitled to exist registered.

A legal adoption is handled past the court and includes legal documents and an adoption order. If you or the child or dependent adult have or has been legally adopted, you must submit a complete application for registration and:

a copy of the adoption order or a re-create of a letter from the social services government confirming the details of the adoption
a consent grade signed and dated by the adopted applicant or, in the case of a kid or dependent developed, past the adoptive parents or legal guardians, and then ISC tin can get data about biological ancestry from social services government involved in the adoption

You can also submit a copy of the pre-adoption nativity certificate list the biological parents' names, if bachelor.

If adopted in British Columbia, you'll need to make full out a consent form specific to that province.

A custom adoption is carried out following the Beginning Nation's practices. Applicants need to submit additional documents to confirm the custom adoption.

To find out what documents you demand to submit if y'all or the child or dependent adult were or was adopted through a custom adoption, contact ISC.

Contact ISC if adopted

To find out more about what other documents yous demand to submit if you're adopted and to get a consent class:

contact Public enquiries

write to
- Adoption Unit of measurement
  Ethnic Services Canada
  10 rue Wellington
  Gatineau QC K1A 0H4

Any information provided to ISC by social services authorities is received in confidence and exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Privacy Act. ISC doesn't release whatsoever identifying information well-nigh biological parents or ancestors.

Can y'all utilise for someone else

A third-party awarding is an awarding submitted in person by someone other than the applicant. For a child or dependent adult, a third person is whatever person other than the parent, custodial parent or legal guardian.

When submitting a third-political party application, you must submit:

a consummate awarding for registration, signed past the bidder
a copy of the front and of the dorsum of valid acceptable identification of the bidder, each re-create signed and dated by a guarantor
a guarantor declaration confirming the identity of the applicant
a signed statement from the applicant providing consent to submit the application through the third party
original valid adequate identification of the third political party
if also applying for a secure status card, a digital photo of the applicant using the SCIS Photo App or 2 printed photos that run into the photograph requirements

Where can you submit the application

You can submit the application, including the checklist and all necessary documents:

at whatsoever regional office
at any Starting time Nation office, if applicable

by mail to
- National Processing Unit of measurement
  Ethnic Services Canada
  10 rue Wellington
  Gatineau QC K1A 0H4

If you've been affected by known sex-based inequities in the Indian Act, yous can submit the application, including the checklist and all necessary documents:

at whatsoever regional role
at any First Nation office, if applicative

by mail to:
- Application Processing Unit of measurement
  Indigenous Services Canada
  Box 6700
  Winnipeg MB R3C 5R5

Before you go to any regional office or First Nation office

Phone call alee to:

notice out if the office near yous is open
make an date
confirm what documents you lot need to bring
notice out what prophylactic measures are in place to assist forestall the spread of COVID-19

How are original documents returned

Original documents submitted, except for guarantor and statutory declarations, volition be mailed to you lot within i month after receiving the application.

Change of address

Inform ISC of any alter of address by contacting Public enquiries.

How long does it take to be registered

If you lot or the child or dependent developed are or is entitled to be registered, you'll receive a letter of the alphabet confirming registration in 6 to 8 months.

In complex cases

ISC may contact you for more data. Processing fourth dimension for a complex case tin take up to 2 years.

If you've as well practical for a secure status card, y'all should receive it 8 to 12 weeks later on receiving the letter of the alphabet of confirmation.

What is the 10-digit registration number

The 10-digit registration number is a unique number used to ostend registration. The commencement 3 digits of the number identify the First Nation yous are affiliated with:

If your Commencement Nation's membership is maintained past ISC, yous automatically get a member of that Kickoff Nation
If your Starting time Nation controls its own membership or citizenship, you need to contact the Kickoff Nation to employ for membership or citizenship

The 10-digit registration number on the letter of confirmation is also on the front of the status card.

If you need to confirm your registration number, yous tin get it from:

any regional part
your First Nation part
Public enquiries

You lot may be asked for a piece of valid acceptable identification or to answer questions to verify your identity.

When do you become eligible for the Non-Insured Health Benefits program

The letter of the alphabet of confirmation establishing that you lot or the child or dependent adult are or is registered also confirms eligibility for certain benefits and rights.

Benefits for non-insured health services are available on registration. Services received before can't be reimbursed.

Children less than xviii months whose parent is registered are eligible for the Not-Insured Health Benefits programme.

Can you lot protest the Registrar'southward decision

If the Registrar determines that y'all or the child or dependent adult aren't or isn't entitled to be registered, you lot'll receive a letter of the alphabet explaining why.

If you disagree with the Registrar'due south decision and wish to protest, visit If you disagree with the Registrar's decision.