How applications for registration are assessed and processed
Find out how we evaluate your application for registration under the Indian Act and why some applications take more time than others.
Steps of the application process
- Step 1: Application received
- in person at a regional office, First Nations office or trusted source
- by mail
- Step 2: Application assessed
- Confirm an individual's identity
- Assess application completeness
- Send to the appropriate national processing unit, if necessary
- Step 3: Entitlement determined
- Review all documents submitted and available information within departmental records
- Seek more information from the applicant and/or provincial or territorial authorities, if necessary
- Take into account multi-generational life events to apply the registration provisions of the Indian Act
- Step 4: Registration decision verified
- Quality assurance process to ensure accurate decision-making
- Letter sent to communicate the decision to the applicant and registration administrator
- Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) issued, if requested
In some cases
- Protest: Investigation conducted
- Individual, band council or any member submits a protest in-writing within 3 years of the decision
- ISC conducts an investigation
- Letter is sent to communicate the decision to the protestor and/or protestee
- Appeals: Decision appealed to the courts
- Individual, band council or any member submits an appeal to the courts within 6 months of the decision
- Court issues a decision or refers the case back to the Registrar for reconsideration or further investigation