By Government of Canada

How to Apply for a Status Card

Mar 8, 2023 | 9:01 AM

Step 1: Get the application form

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

Step 2: Find a guarantor, if necessary

A guarantor is someone who can confirm your identity.

You need a guarantor if:

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• applying by mail
• providing identification that does not 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 adult
• submitting a photo using the SCIS Photo App

Find out who can act as a guarantor.

Step 3: Fill out the application

Detailed instructions on filling out the application form for adults (16 or older) and for children (15 or younger) or dependent adults are available online.

Step 4: Sign and date the application

Before submitting the application, make sure you’ve:

• filled out all relevant sections of the form
• signed and dated the form
• included all necessary documents
• submitted a digital photo or included 2 printed photos
• included a guarantor declaration, if necessary

If the application is for a child or dependent adult, a parent, custodial parent or legal guardian must sign the form.

Step 5: Submit the application

To avoid delays in processing your application, you must submit all necessary documents and photos with the complete application for a secure status card.

What do you need to submit with an application for a secure status card

To apply for a secure status card, you or the child or dependent adult must be registered under the Indian Act. If not registered, you can now apply for registration and a secure status card at the same time.

If you’re not sure if you or the child or dependent adult are or is registered, contact Public enquiries.

For an adult (16 or older)

You must submit:

1. a complete application for a secure status card for already registered persons
2. a digital photo using the SCIS Photo App or 2 printed photos that meet the photo requirements
3. original valid acceptable identification or a copy of the front and of the back of the identification, each copy signed and dated by a guarantor
4. a guarantor declaration, if necessary
5. If the name on the application is different from the name on any of the other necessary documents, you must also submit:
6. an original legal name-linking document, such as a change of name certificate, marriage certificate or divorce order, that links the previous name with the current name

or

• a copy of a legal name-linking document and 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 child (15 or younger) or dependent adult

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

You must submit:

1. a complete application for a secure status card for already registered persons
2. a digital photo of the child or dependent adult using the SCIS Photo App or 2 printed photos that meet the photo requirements
3. original valid acceptable identification of the applying parent, custodial parent or legal guardian or a copy of the front and back of the identification, each copy signed by a guarantor
4. for a child (15 or younger), a copy of the most recent legal documents granting custody or guardianship to the applying parent or legal guardian, if applicable
   for a dependent adult, the guardianship order
5. a guarantor declaration, if necessary

If the child or dependent adult’s name on the application form 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 name with the current name

or

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

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

• a copy 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 name

Where can you submit the application

You can submit the application and all necessary documents and photos:

• at any regional office
• at any First Nation office, if applicable
• by mail to
  • National SCIS Processing Unit
    Indigenous Services Canada
    10 rue Wellington
    Gatineau QC K1A 0H4

Before you go to any regional office or First Nation office

Call ahead to:

• find out if the office near you is open
• make an appointment
• confirm what documents you need to bring

Can you apply for a status card at a First Nation office

Some First Nations still issue the Certificate of Indian Status (status card). If your First Nation does:

• fill out the Application for Certificate of Indian Status (PDF, 84 KB)
• submit the application in person to the Indian Registration Administrator of your First Nation office

If you have questions about your application for a status card, contact your First Nation office.

Protect yourself from identity theft

In 2009, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) began to issue the Secure Certificate of Indian Status to help protect registered persons from identity theft.

ISC encourages registered persons to apply for the Secure Certificate of Indian Status, which has a number of security features that the Certificate of Indian Status doesn’t have.

Can you apply for someone else

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

When submitting a third party application, you must submit:

1. a complete application for a secure status card for already registered persons, signed by the applicant
2. a digital photo of the applicant using the SCIS Photo App or 2 printed photos that meet the photo requirements
3. copies of the front and of the back of the valid acceptable identification of the applicant, each copy signed and dated by a guarantor
4. a guarantor declaration confirming the identity of the applicant
5. a signed statement from the applicant providing consent to submit the application through the third party
6. original valid acceptable identification of the third party

How to renew a secure status card

The secure status card is valid for:

• 10 years for adults and dependent adults
• 5 years for children

The renewal process is the same as when first applying for a secure status card. Fill out the same application form and check “Renewal” under “Reason for application”.

You can renew your current secure status card up to 6 months before or up to 1 year after the “Renew before” date on your card.

If you’re applying 1 year after the date indicated on your secure status card, fill out the same application form as when first applying for a secure status card and check “Replacement (lost, stolen, damaged SCIS)” under “Reason for application”.

How to change your personal information on your secure status card

You can change the personal information on your secure status card anytime.

Fill out the same form as when first applying for a secure status card and check “Replacement (changes to personal information)” under “Reason for application” or include the changes to your personal information when first applying for a secure status card or for a renewal.

To change the name on your secure status card, you must submit:

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

or

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

To change the gender designation on your secure status card, select:

• M (male)

or

• F (female)

or

• X (another gender)

The gender designation selected on the form doesn’t need to match the gender designation on the documents you need to submit with the application.

To change the First Nation you’re affiliated to on your secure status card, contact any regional office.

You can make more than one change to your personal information at the same time.

What to do if a status card is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed

If you’ve lost your Secure Certificate of Indian Status or if it has been stolen, damaged or destroyed, you must report the incident by calling Public enquiries.

The call agent will:

1. cancel the lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed card to make sure it won’t be used for fraudulent purposes
2. issue, if requested, a Temporary Confirmation of Registration Document

The replacement process is the same as when first applying for a secure status card. Fill out the same form and check “Replacement (lost, stolen, damaged SCIS)” under “Reason for application”.

If you’ve lost your Certificate of Indian Status or if it has been stolen, damaged or destroyed, contact your First Nation office to apply for a replacement.

When you report your status card lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed

Your 10-digit registration number doesn’t change when you are issued a new status card.

What to do if you find a status card

If you find a status card, just drop it into a Canada Post mailbox and it will be returned to ISC.