Is your status card valid
Your registration under the Indian Act doesn't need to be renewed, but your status card does.
Updated version of the Certificate of Indian Status
In August 2023, First Nations started to issue an updated version of the laminated paper status card with new security features. The updated version isn’t a replacement. You don’t need to apply for a new one unless it’s past its renewal date, lost, stolen or damaged.
On this page
Why your status card needs to be renewed
Like other government-issued identity documents, for example, passport, driver's license, health card, your status card needs to be renewed to reflect your current appearance.
If your status card is past its renewal date, you need to submit an application to renew it.
Note
Even if your card is past its renewal date, you remain registered and retain the benefits and rights of a registered person.
What makes a status card valid
A status card is valid if it's:
- available
- not past its renewal date
- not suspended or revoked
- not reported lost, stolen or damaged
If your status card is no longer valid, you may have difficulty with service providers that rely on it for official identification. As a registered person, you will still retain benefits and rights for Indigenous peoples.
Status cards being issued
The Secure Certificate of Indian Status and the Certificate of Indian Status are both issued to confirm registration under the Indian Act.
Secure Certificate of Indian Status
The Secure Certificate of Indian Status, or secure status card, issued centrally by Indigenous Services Canada, has a number of security features:
- laser-engraved data burned directly into the card
- raised letters and numbers on the surface
- patterns of extremely fine lines not easily scanned or copied
- ultra-violet imaging and printing visible with special equipment
- secondary photo image of the cardholder visible from both sides of the card
- toll-free number to call to confirm card is valid
- machine-readable zone to facilitate crossing the Canada–U.S. border
Since February 2019, all new and renewed secure status cards are being issued with a machine-readable zone on the back of the card.
The machine-readable zone contains only cardholder information already on the front of the card.
Certificate of Indian Status
The Certificate of Indian Status, or laminated paper status card, is issued in some First Nations offices.
To help reduce fraudulent reproduction, new security features have been added to the card.
New security features
- secure holographic foil in the header (1)
- micro text below the header (2)
- a watermark visible when a light is cast through the card
- visible and invisible fibers that can be detected both with the naked eye and a UV light
- chemically reactive agents visible when a chemical alteration is attempted
Printing error
Due to a printing error, some updated status cards may have blurry, incomplete or misplaced security features. Those status cards remain acceptable.
All previously issued versions of the status card are valid until their renewal date.
Older versions of the status card
All previously issued versions of both the secure status card and status card are acceptable and remain valid until the renewal date on the card.
Some secure status cards in circulation may not have a machine-readable zone but are acceptable and remain valid until their renewal date.
Some laminated paper status cards have only a limited number of security features found on other government-issued identity documents. Those cards are acceptable and remain valid.
There are some laminated paper status cards with no renewal date. Those cards also remain valid.
If you have questions about your status card, contact Public enquiries.
History of the status card
In 1956, the Government of Canada started to issue the status card as an official identity document confirming registration under the Indian Act.
The status card is either a laminated paper or a plastic card with fewer security features than is now expected of government-issued identity documents.
In 2009, we started to issue a secure status card to help protect registered persons from identity theft. Improved security features make the card less vulnerable to tampering and counterfeiting.
To help protect yourself from identity theft
We encourage you to apply for a secure status card.