How to apply for a status card
Find out how to apply for, renew or replace a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (secure status card) or Certificate of Indian Status (status card).
Choose a topic
- How to apply for a secure status card
- What you need to submit with an application for a secure status card
- How your photos should look for a secure status card
- Where to submit the application
- Can you apply for a status card at a First Nations office
- Can you apply for someone else
- How to renew a secure status card
- How to change your personal information on a secure status card
- What to do if a status card is lost, stolen or damaged
- What to do if you find a status card
How to apply for a secure status card
Trusted sources for registration and status card applications
Find out about trusted sources and how they can help complete applications for registration under the Indian Act and status cards.
Step 1: Get the application form
- online: Status card
- you can answer questions to find the right forms: Get help finding the right form
- by mail, by calling Public enquiries
- in person
- at a regional office
- at a First Nations office, if applicable
- from a trusted source
Step 2: Find a guarantor, if necessary
You need a guarantor if you're:
- applying by mail and aren't eligible for a simplified renewal
- providing identification that doesn't meet all of the requirements for valid acceptable identification
- submitting an application in person on behalf of someone else
Find out who can act as a guarantor. If you need a guarantor and are submitting a photo using the SCIS Photo App, be sure that person is present when you take your photo.
Step 3: Fill out the application form
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: Status card.
Step 4: Review 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 acceptable 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 need to submit all necessary documents and photos with the complete application form for a secure status card.
What 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 need to submit:
- a complete application for a secure status card form for already registered persons
- acceptable photos
- find out about the ways to get photos taken cost-free
- valid acceptable identification
- a guarantor declaration, if necessary
- the guarantor needs to sign and date your photo and each copy of the front and back of your identification
- if your name has changed, a name-linking document, such as a change-of-name certificate, marriage certificate or divorce order, that links your current name with your previous name
- submit an original
or - a copy if the name on the application form is the same as the name on the identification
- submit an original
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 need to submit:
- a complete application for a secure status card form for already registered persons
- acceptable photos
- find out about the ways to get photos taken cost-free
- valid acceptable identification of the applying parent, custodial parent or legal guardian
- 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 - a guarantor declaration, if necessary
- the guarantor needs to sign and date the child's or dependent adult's photo and a copy of the front and back of the applying parent's, custodial parent's or legal guardian's identification
- if the child's or dependent adult's name has changed, a name-linking document, such as a change-of-name certificate, that links the child's or dependent adult's current name with their previous name
- submit an original
or - a copy of the child's or dependent adult's valid acceptable identification with the name that is on the application form
- submit an original
- if the name of the applying parent, custodial parent or legal guardian has changed, a copy of a name-linking document, such as a change-of-name certificate, marriage certificate or divorce order, that links their current name with their previous name
Where to submit the application
You can submit the application and all necessary documents and photos:
- in person, at
- any regional office
- a First Nations office, if applicable
- a trusted source
- by mail to
- National SCIS Processing Unit
Indigenous Services Canada
10 rue Wellington
Gatineau QC K1A 0H4
- National SCIS Processing Unit
Before you go to any regional office or First Nations 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 Nations 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
- submit the application in person to the Indian Registration Administrator at your First Nations office
If you have questions about your application for a status card, contact your First Nations office.
Protect yourself from identity theft
In 2009, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) began to issue the secure status card to help protect registered persons from identity theft.
ISC encourages registered persons to apply for the secure status card, which has a number of security features that the status card 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 need to submit:
- a complete application for a secure status card form for already registered persons, signed by the applicant
- acceptable photos
- find out about the ways to get photos taken cost-free
- copies of the front and of the back of the valid acceptable identification of the applicant, each copy 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 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 (16 or older)
- 5 years for children (15 or younger)
You may be eligible for a simplified renewal if you're an already registered adult and meet all these 4 conditions:
- You were 16 or older when you last applied for a secure status card.
- The following personal information has not changed since your last secure status card was issued: your family name, given names, date of birth, First Nation affiliation and registration number.
- Your last secure status card was not revoked or reported lost, stolen or damaged.
- You're applying no more than 1 year before and no later than the renewal date on the front of your secure status card.
If you're eligible for a simplified renewal, you:
- can use the shorter, simplified application form
- don't have to find a guarantor if applying by mail
If you're not eligible for a simplified renewal or applying for a child or dependent adult, 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 1 year before the "Renew before" date on your card.
If you're applying after the "Renew before" date on your secure status card, fill out the same application form as when first applying for a secure status card and check "Renewal" under "Reason for application".
To find out more about which form to use to renew your secure status card: Get help finding the right form
We don't reassess your entitlement to registration when you apply for or renew your card
Your entitlement to registration under the Indian Act doesn't expire, but your card does. You need to renew it to make sure your photo reflects your current appearance, which will prevent challenges when accessing rights, benefits, programs and services.
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 need to submit:
- an original name-linking document, such as a change of name certificate, marriage certificate or divorce order, that links your current name with your previous name
or - a copy of a 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 or damaged
If your secure status card has been lost, stolen or damaged, you must report the incident by calling Public enquiries.
The call agent will:
- cancel the lost, stolen or damaged card to make sure it won't be used for fraudulent purposes
- 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 your status card has been lost, stolen or damaged, contact your First Nations office to apply for a replacement.
When you report your status card lost, stolen or damaged
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.