What you need to submit with your application
Documents and application forms you need to submit with your application.
You need an application form. You can get one:
- online: Application forms for Indian status and status cards
- Answer questions to find the right form: Get help finding the right form
- by mail or email, by contacting Public enquiries
- in person, from
- any regional office
- your First Nations office, if they offer secure status card services
- a trusted source
For an adult (16 or older)
You need to submit:
- a complete application for a secure status card
- acceptable photos
- find out about the ways to get photos taken cost-free
- valid acceptable identification
- if applying in person, bring your original identification
- if applying by mail, send a copy of the front and back of your identification, each copy signed and dated by a guarantor
- a guarantor declaration, if necessary
- a name-linking document, for example, a change of name, marriage or divorce certificate, if the name on the application form is different from the name on any of the other necessary documents
- if you haven't changed your name on your identification, you need to submit an original name-linking document
- if the name on your identification reflects the name on the application form, you can submit a copy
For a child (15 or younger) or dependent adult
To apply on behalf of a child or dependent adult, you must have the authority to act for the child or dependent adult in legal or financial matters.
You need to submit:
- a complete application for a secure status card
- acceptable photos
- find out about the ways to get photos taken cost-free
- valid acceptable identification
- if applying in person, bring your original identification
- if applying by mail, send a copy of the front and back of your identification, each copy signed and dated by a guarantor
- a guarantor declaration, if necessary
- for a child (15 or younger), a copy of the most recent legal documents granting custody or guardianship to the applying parent or guardian, if applicable
for a dependent adult, a copy of the guardianship order - a name-linking document, for example, a change-of-name, marriage or divorce certificate, if the child's or applying parent's or guardian's name on the application form is different from the name on any of the other necessary documents
- if you haven't changed your name on your identification, you need to submit an original name-linking document
- if the name on your identification reflects the name on the application form, you can submit a copy
As a third party
A third-party application is an application submitted in person on behalf of someone other than the applicant. For a child or dependent adult, a third person is any person other than the parent, custodial parent or guardian.
When submitting a third-party application, you need to submit:
- a complete application for a secure status card form, signed by the applicant
- acceptable photos of the applicant
- find out about the ways to get photos taken cost-free
- copies of the front and back of the applicant's valid acceptable identification, each copy signed and dated by a guarantor
- a guarantor declaration confirming the identity of the applicant
- a signed statement from the applicant providing consent to submit the application on their behalf
- original valid acceptable identification of the third party
Can you apply for a status card at a your First Nations office
Some First Nations offices issue the Certificate of Indian Status, or status card. If your First Nations office does:
- fill out the Application for Certificate of Indian Status (PDF, 84 KB)
- submit the application in person to the Indian Registration Administrator of your First Nations office
Contact your First Nations office to find out which status card services they offer.
Protect yourself from identity theft
In 2009, we started to issue the Secure Certificate of Indian Status to help protect registered persons from identity theft.
We encourage you to apply for the Secure Certificate of Indian Status, which comes with a number of security features not found on the Certificate of Indian Status.