About guarantors
Find out what you need to know about guarantors and what to do if you can't find one.
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What is a guarantor
A guarantor is a person who can confirm your identity when you are applying for registration under the Indian Act or a status card as an adult or as the parent or legal guardian of a child or dependent adult.
When do you need a guarantor
You need a guarantor if:
- applying by mail
- providing valid identification that does not meet all of the requirements
- 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
Who can act as guarantor
The person acting as guarantor must:
- be 18 or older
- have known you for at least 2 years
- be available and capable of answering questions about you, for example, your name, approximate age, place of birth, physical description and place of residence, if contacted by Indigenous Services Canada
- be registered under the Indian Act or employed in an eligible occupation:
- First Nations representatives and employees, for example, chief, councillor, Indian Registration Administrator
- employees of Indigenous organizations
- elected and appointed officials, for example, mayor, member of Parliament or of the Legislative Assembly, senator
- Canadian federal, provincial, territorial or municipal government employees
- justice and public safety officials, for example, judge, magistrate, lawyer, notary, paralegal, police officer, parole officer
- military personnel from regular or reserve forces
- medical professionals, for example, dentist, medical doctor, optometrist, pharmacist, chiropractor, nurse
- social services professionals, for example, social worker, social service worker, counsellor
- education professionals, for example, teacher, professor, administrator, school board member,
- financial professionals, for example, accountant, financial advisor, actuary
- veterinary professionals, for example, veterinarian, veterinary technician
- scientific professionals, for example, engineer, chemist, geoscientist
- religious officials
A family member can only act as guarantor if they meet those conditions.
A parent or legal guardian cannot act as guarantor when applying on behalf of a child or dependent adult.
What is required of a guarantor
The person acting as guarantor must perform these tasks, free of charge:
- complete and sign a guarantor declaration (form 83-169)
- sign and date each copy of the front and back of your valid identification
- sign, date and write your name, or the name of the child or dependent adult for whom you are applying, on the digital photo if using the SCIS Photo App or on the back of one of the printed photos
- confirm information about you if contacted by Indigenous Services Canada
If you have or the person acting as guarantor has questions, contact Public enquiries.
If you can't find a guarantor
If you can't find a guarantor, you must provide 2 references and complete a statutory declaration in lieu of guarantor (form 83-170).
You must sign this form in the presence of a person authorized by law to administer oaths and declarations, for example, a:
- commissioner for oaths or for taking affidavits
- lawyer
- notary
- justice of the peace
Who can act as a reference
A person acting as a reference must:
- be 18 or older
- have known you personally for at least 2 years
- not be a relative
- be available and capable of answering questions about you, for example, your name, approximate age, place of birth, physical description and place of residence, if contacted by Indigenous Services Canada
What is required of a reference
One person acting as a reference must perform these tasks, free of charge:
- sign and date each copy of the front and back of your valid identification
- sign, date and write your name, or the name of the child or dependent adult for whom you are applying, on the digital photo if using the SCIS Photo App or on the back of one of the printed photos
- confirm information about you if contacted by Indigenous Services Canada
Either person acting as reference can perform those tasks.