Application forms for Indian status and status cards
Forms you need to submit when applying for registration under the Indian Act and a status card.
Potential mailing delays
Due to a potential labour disruption at Canada Post, there may be mailing delays related to registration and secure status card applications.
During the labour disruption, applicants who may wish to submit their applications for both registration or status cards are encouraged to come in person.
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Indian status
Adults (16 or older)
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For applicants 16 or older, you need to submit:
- Application for Registration on the Indian Register and for the Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) (for adults 16 years of age or older)
- PDF print only 83-168SE, (282 KB, 6 pages)
- PDF fillable/saveable 83-168E, (123 KB, 6 pages)
- PDF instructions 83-168IE, (186 KB, 6 pages)
Children (15 or younger) or dependent adults
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For children (15 or younger) or dependent adults, you need to submit:
- Application for Registration on the Indian Register and for the Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) (for children 15 years of age or younger or dependent adults)
- PDF print only 83-171SE, (291 KB, 6 pages)
- PDF fillable/saveable 83-171E, (132 KB, 6 pages)
- PDF instructions 83-171IE, (228 KB, 6 pages)
Unknown or unstated parentage
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If you're asserting unknown or unstated parentage, you can submit:
- Statutory Declaration for Biological Parents Affirming Parentage
- PDF print only 83-174SE, (213 KB, 2 pages)
- PDF fillable/saveable 83-174E, (151 KB, 2 pages)
- Statutory Declaration – Unknown or Unstated Parentage
- PDF print only 83-175SE, (169 KB, 2 pages)
- PDF fillable/saveable 83-175E, (84 KB, 2 pages)
Status card
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If you're applying for your first secure status card or to renew, replace or update your secure status card, you need to submit:
- Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS): Application for already registered persons
- PDF print only 83-172SE, 2023-02-09 (520 KB, 2 pages)
- PDF fillable/saveable 83-172E, (395 KB, 2 pages)
- PDF instructions 83-172IE, (275 KB, 4 pages)
If you're an already registered adult and eligible for a simplified renewal, you can submit:
- Simplified Renewal – Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS): Application for already registered adults
- PDF print only 83-187SE, 2023-02-03 (376 KB, 2 pages)
- PDF fillable/saveable 83-187E, 2023-02-03 (196 KB, 2 pages)
Some First Nations still issue Certificates of Indian Status (status cards). If your First Nation does, submit your application for a status card to your First Nations office's Indian Registration Administrator using:
- Application for Certificate of Indian Status 83-009E, (PDF, 84 KB, 1 page)
Guarantor information
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If you need a guarantor, you need to submit:
- Guarantor Declaration: Registration and Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS)
- PDF print only 83-169SE, (183 KB, 2 pages)
- PDF fillable/saveable 83-169E, (103 KB, 2 pages)
If you can't find a guarantor, you need to submit:
- Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor: Registration and Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS)
- PDF print only 83-170SE, (208 KB, 2 pages)
- PDF fillable/saveable 83-170E, (110 KB, 2 pages)
Application for Genealogical Search
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To request a genealogical search, you need to submit:
- Application for Genealogical Search
- PDF print only 83-188SE, 2024-05-24 (164 KB, 4 pages)
- PDF fillable/saveable 83-188E, 2024-05-24 (146 KB, 4 pages)