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).

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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

Step 2: Find a guarantor, if necessary

You need a guarantor if you're:

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:

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:

  1. a complete application for a secure status card form for already registered persons
  2. acceptable photos
  3. valid acceptable identification
  4. 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
  5. 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

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:

  1. a complete application for a secure status card form for already registered persons
  2. acceptable photos
  3. valid acceptable identification of the applying parent, custodial parent or legal guardian
  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
    • 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
  6. 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
  7. 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:

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:

  1. fill out the Application for Certificate of Indian Status
  2. 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:

  1. a complete application for a secure status card form for already registered persons, signed by the applicant
  2. acceptable photos
  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:

You may be eligible for a simplified renewal if you're an already registered adult and meet all these 4 conditions:

  1. You were 16 or older when you last applied for a secure status card.
  2. 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.
  3. Your last secure status card was not revoked or reported lost, stolen or damaged.
  4. 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:

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:

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

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:

  1. cancel the lost, stolen or damaged 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 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.

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