How to apply for Indian status

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

COVID-19-related updates

To find out if it's possible to use for registration in person, visit Service hours update.

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

Recent changes

  • As of December 10, 2020, you lot can select a not-binary gender identifier on the application form when applying for registration or a condition carte du jour: M (male person), F (female) or X (another gender).
  • On July 31, 2020, the Quebec Superior Court issued its decision in the case of Hele c. Attorney General of Canada (Hele conclusion), ruling that single women could not be enfranchised under the 1951 Indian Deed.
    • If you were single or your female parent or grandmother was single and enfranchised by application as an adult betwixt September iv, 1951, and Apr 17, 1985, you may be affected by that decision.
    • To discover out more most 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

As of August 15, 2019, Nib S-iii amendments addressed all known sex activity-based inequities in the registration provisions of the Indian Act. On Dec 11, 2020, the third and last report to Parliament on the review of Bill Southward-3 was tabled.

To find out what the Government of Canada is doing to ensure equity between the sexes in registration, visit Pecker Southward-three: Eliminating known sex-based inequities in registration.

On this page

  • Are you entitled to be registered under the Indian Act
  • Have known sex-based inequities in the Indian Deed affected your entitlement to registration
  • How practice you apply for registration
  • What practice y'all need to submit with the application for registration
    • for an adult (16 or older)
    • for a child (fifteen or younger) or dependent adult
  • Are you entitled to be registered through a parent not listed on your proof of nascency document
  • What other documents do yous need to submit if you lot're adopted
  • Can you lot apply for someone else
  • Where can you submit the application
  • How are original documents returned
  • How long does it take to be registered
  • What is the ten-digit registration number
  • When do you get eligible for the Non-Insured Health Services program
  • Can y'all protest the Registrar'southward decision

Are y'all entitled to be registered under the Indian Act

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 find out if you're entitled to be registered, ask yourself:

  • Are either or both of my parents registered or entitled to exist registered?
  • Are any 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 exist entitled to be registered if:

  • at to the lowest degree one of your parents is registered or entitled to be registered nether subsection 6(1) of the Indian Act

or

  • both of your parents are registered or entitled to be registered nether subsection 6(1) or half-dozen(2) of the Indian Act

Have known sex activity-based inequities in the Indian Deed afflicted your entitlement to registration

Your or your ancestors' appointment of birth and life events, such as marriages and divorces, may have afflicted your entitlement to registration.

Betwixt 1985 and 2019, the Indian Act was amended to address sex-based inequities and comply with the Canadian Lease of Rights and Freedoms:

  • Bill C-31 restored entitlement to women who had lost entitlement due to marriage to a non-entitled man, entitling their children to registration besides
  • Bill C-3 granted entitlement to grandchildren of certain women who regained entitlement under Bill C‑31
  • Bill S-3 eliminated all known sex activity-based inequities not addressed by Bill C-31 or Nib C-3, entitling all descendants born earlier April 17, 1985, or from a marriage that occurred before that engagement, of women who had lost their entitlement due to marriage to a non-entitled man

If your entitlement to registration has been afflicted past known sexual activity-based inequities in the Indian Human activity, you may now take the right to exist registered if:

  • your mother, grandmother or great-grandmother lost her entitlement through union to a non-entitled human being before April 17, 1985

or

  • your mother, grandmother or dandy-grandmother was built-in outside of spousal relationship to an entitled father and a not-entitled female parent between September iv, 1951, and April 16, 1985

or

  • your parent, grandparent or great-grandparent lost their entitlement because of their female parent'south marriage to a non-entitled man before April 17, 1985

or

  • your parent'southward, grandparent's or great-grandparent's proper noun was omitted or deleted from the Indian Register or from a First Nation membership listing because of their non-entitled father

To find out more than, visit:

  • Bill Due south-3: Eliminating known-sexual activity based inequities in registration
  • Removal of the 1951 cut-off
  • How practise you use for registration

or

  • call 1-844-280-5011

If you practical for registration before the Indian Act was amended

If you lot applied for registration before the Indian Human action was amended and your awarding is waiting to be candy, it volition automatically be candy based on the amended Indian Act. You don't need to reapply.

If you practical for registration earlier the Indian Deed was amended and your application was denied, yous need to reapply.

If you take questions about your awarding for registration, contact Public enquiries.

Amending your registration category

If known sex-based inequities in the Indian Human action have affected your entitlement to registration, your registration category may be amended.

To request a category amendment, you must submit a re-create of valid acceptable identification likewise as a signed and dated written request with your name, registration number and mailing address:

  • in person at
    • any regional office
    • whatsoever Offset Nation office, if applicative
  • by mail to
    • Application Processing Unit
      Ethnic Services Canada
      Box 6700
      Winnipeg MB R3C 5R5

How do you lot apply for registration

Stride ane: Get the application grade

  • online
  • by postal service, past calling Public enquiries
  • in person, at whatsoever regional role
  • in person, at any First Nation role, if applicable

Step ii: Find a guarantor, if necessary

You must find a guarantor if:

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

Find out who tin act as a guarantor.

Pace 3: Fill up 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.

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

  • legal name
  • engagement of birth
  • First Nation name
  • registration number, if applicative
  • contact information
  • adoption data, if applicable

If your parents are entitled to membership or citizenship with different First Nations, you may have a choice of First Nation affiliation. You lot may choose which First Nation on the awarding form or submit a separate First Nation choice argument.

If your Starting time Nation controls its own membership or citizenship, you may demand to apply to the First Nation separately to get a member or denizen.

To aid determine entitlement to registration, it'south also helpful to provide:

  • the names of any relatives, such as brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles or cousins, who are registered or entitled to be registered
  • any relevant information that may assist place them in records at Ethnic Services Canada (ISC) and link them to you lot, the child or dependent developed

If your or the child or dependent adult'south parents or grandparents aren't registered, provide as much information as possible about your First Nation ancestors or those of the kid or dependent adult. ISC will inquiry its records to make up one's mind entitlement to registration. Whatsoever relevant information provided volition assist speed upwards that inquiry. In complex cases, ISC may contact you for more information.

To research family genealogy, visit Indigenous genealogy.

Point 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, you or the child or dependent adult volition exist registered if entitled, but a secure status bill of fare won't exist issued. You can always employ for a status card later.

Step 4: Sign and date the application

Before submitting the application, make certain you've:

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

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

Step 5: Submit the application

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

What practice yous need to submit with the application for registration

For an adult (xvi or older)

You must submit:

  • a consummate awarding for registration for adults (16 or older)
  • an original proof of birth document with parental information
    • to get an original proof of birth document, visit the Vital Statistics website from the province or territory where you were born
  • original valid adequate identification or a copy of the front and of the back of the identification, each copy signed and dated by a guarantor
  • a guarantor declaration, if necessary
  • if besides applying for a secure status card, a digital photo using the SCIS Photo App or 2 printed photos that encounter the photo requirements

If the name on the awarding form is dissimilar from the proper name on any of the other necessary documents, you lot must also submit:

  • an original legal proper name-linking document, such as a alter of name certificate, a union certificate or a divorce social club, that links the previous proper name with the electric current name

or

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

For a child (xv 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 accept the authorization to deed for the child or dependent developed in legal and financial matters.

You lot must submit:

  1. a complete application for registration for children (15 or younger) or dependent adults
  2. an original proof of birth document with parental information
    • to get an original proof of birth document, visit the Vital Statistics website from the province or territory where the child or dependent adult was born
  3. original valid acceptable identification of the applying parent, custodial parent or legal guardian or a copy of the front and of the dorsum of the identification, each copy signed and dated past a guarantor
  4. for a child (15 or younger), any legal documents granting custody or guardianship of the kid to the applying parent or legal guardian, if applicable
    for a dependent developed, the guardianship social club
  5. a guarantor declaration, if necessary
  6. if also applying for a secure condition bill of fare, a digital photo using the SCIS Photo App or 2 printed photos that meet the photo requirements

If the kid or dependent adult's name on the awarding grade is dissimilar 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 noun with the current name

or

  • a copy of a legal proper noun-linking certificate and valid adequate identification with the proper noun that is on the application form

If the name of the applying parent, custodial parent or legal guardian is different from the proper noun on any of the other necessary documents, you must also submit:

  • a copy of a legal name-linking document, such equally a change of name document, matrimony certificate or divorce order, that links the previous name with the current proper name

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 one of the biological parents isn't listed on the proof of birth document but is registered or entitled to be registered, you tin can submit:

  • an original amended proof of nascency document listing the unstated parent's proper noun

or

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

or

  • a court society declaring parentage

or

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

If you can't submit whatsoever of those documents, you may submit:

  • statutory declarations from family unit members, close relatives, Elders or community members
  • demography records
  • church records
  • infirmary records
  • school records
  • band council resolutions
  • First Nation membership or citizenship listing
  • any other credible show

Response to the Gehl decision

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

What other documents do you need to submit if you lot're adopted

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

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

  1. a copy of the adoption social club or a copy of a letter from the social services government confirming the details of the adoption
  2. a consent form signed and dated by the adopted applicant or, in the case of a kid or dependent adult, by the adoptive parents or legal guardians, then ISC can become information about biological ancestry from social services government involved in the adoption

You tin also submit a copy of the pre-adoption birth certificate listing the biological parents' names, if available.

If adopted in British Columbia, you'll demand to fill out a consent form specific to that province.

A custom adoption is carried out following the First Nation'south practices. Applicants demand to submit additional documents to confirm the custom adoption.

To observe out what documents you need to submit if you 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

or

  • write to
    • Adoption Unit
      Office of the Registrar
      Indigenous Services Canada
      10 rue Wellington
      Gatineau QC  K1A 0H4

Whatsoever information provided to ISC past social services authorities is received in conviction and exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Privacy Act. ISC doesn't release any identifying information virtually biological parents or ancestors.

Can you apply for someone else

A third-party awarding is an application submitted in person past someone other than the applicant. For a child or dependent developed, a third person is any person other than the parent, custodial parent or legal guardian.

When submitting a tertiary-party awarding, you must submit:

  1. a complete application for registration, signed past the applicant
  2. a copy of the front and of the back of valid acceptable identification of the applicant, each re-create signed and dated by a guarantor
  3. a guarantor declaration confirming the identity of the applicant
  4. a signed statement from the applicant providing consent to submit the application through the third party
  5. original valid adequate identification of the third political party
  6. if too applying for a secure status card, a digital photo of the applicant using the SCIS Photograph App or two printed photos that meet the photograph requirements

Where can you submit the application

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

  • at whatever regional office
  • at whatever Outset Nation function, if applicative

or

  • by post to
    • National Processing Unit of measurement
      Indigenous Services Canada
      10 rue Wellington
      Gatineau QC  K1A 0H4

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

  • at any regional office
  • at any Commencement Nation office, if applicable

or

  • by mail to:
    • Application Processing Unit
      Ethnic Services Canada
      Box 6700
      Winnipeg MB R3C 5R5

Before you lot become to whatever regional office or Outset Nation office

Telephone call alee to:

  • find out if the office virtually you lot is open
  • make an appointment
  • confirm what documents you need to bring
  • find out what safety measures are in place to assistance prevent the spread of COVID-xix

How are original documents returned

Original documents submitted, except for guarantor and statutory declarations, will be mailed to you within 1 month later receiving the awarding.

Change of accost

Inform ISC of whatever change of accost by contacting Public enquiries.

How long does information technology take to exist registered

If y'all or the child or dependent developed are or is entitled to be registered, you lot'll receive a alphabetic character confirming registration in 6 to viii months.

In complex cases

ISC may contact y'all for more information. Processing time for a complex example can take up to ii years.

If you've as well practical for a secure status carte du jour, you lot should receive it viii to 12 weeks subsequently receiving the letter of confirmation.

What is the 10-digit registration number

The 10-digit registration number is a unique number used to confirm registration. The kickoff three digits of the number identify the First Nation you are affiliated with:

  • If your First Nation's membership is maintained by ISC, you automatically become a fellow member of that Showtime Nation
  • If your First Nation controls its own membership or citizenship, you need to contact the First Nation to utilise for membership or citizenship

The x-digit registration number on the letter of confirmation is also on the front of the condition card.

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

  • whatsoever regional role
  • your First Nation role
  • Public enquiries

You lot may exist asked for a slice of valid adequate identification or to respond questions to verify your identity.

When exercise y'all become eligible for the Non-Insured Health Benefits plan

The letter of confirmation establishing that you 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 eighteen months whose parent is registered are eligible for the Non-Insured Health Benefits program.

Can y'all protest the Registrar's determination

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

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

  • Indian Act
  • Bill C-31: A Bill to Amend the Indian Act
  • Nib C-3: Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act
  • Bill S-3: An Act to amend the Indian Act in response to the Superior Court of Quebec decision in Descheneaux c. Canada (Procureur général)
  • How to apply for a status card
  • Application forms