What you need to submit when applying for registration under the Indian Act

You need to submit:

1. a complete application for registration for adults (16 or older)
2. an original proof of birth document with parental information
   • to get an original proof of birth document, visit the Vital Statistics website from the province or territory where you were born
3. 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
4. a guarantor declaration, if necessary
5. 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
6. acceptable photos, if you're applying for the secure status card at the same time
   • find out about the ways to get photos taken cost-free

If you don't submit photos with the application, you can always apply for a status card later.

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:

1. a complete application for registration for children (15 or younger) or dependent adults
2. an original proof of birth document with parental information
   • to get an original proof of birth document, visit the Vital Statistics website from the province or territory where the child or dependent adult was born
3. 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
4. a guarantor declaration, if necessary
5. 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
6. acceptable photos, if you're applying for the secure status card at the same time
   • find out about the ways to get photos taken cost-free
7. 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

If you were adopted, or you have a direct ancestor who was adopted, you may need to submit additional documents to apply for registration. Direct ancestors include parents, grandparents or other ancestors. We may need more information on the adoptee's biological and adoptive ancestry to determine entitlement to registration and First Nations affiliation.

For this reason, applications impacted by an adoption may take longer to process. You can reduce processing delays by providing all available documents confirming the details of the adoption.

The documents you need to submit depend on:

• the type of adoption, that is, legal or custom
• the person's age when adopted

Documents that we may require include:

• adoption records, such as a copy of the adoption order or of a letter from the provincial or territorial authorities confirming the details of the adoption, if applicable
• records confirming your birth information, such as a pre-adoptive proof of birth document with parental information, if applicable
  • if you can't get these documents yourself, contact Public enquiries to get a consent form to allow us to get this information on your behalf
• if adopted as an adult, credible evidence that shows the adoptee was raised as a minor by their adoptive parents, including all relevant dates and details of the adoption. For example:
  • legal documents, including other documents provided to the court to support the adoption, if applicable
  • band council resolutions or equivalent documents issued by First Nations leadership
  • statutory declarations from anyone with knowledge of the adoption, such as the birth or adoptive parents, Elders, community members, friends, relatives or neighbours
  • any other credible evidence to show the adoptee was raised as a minor by their adoptive parents
• if adopted in accordance with First Nations custom, credible evidence that shows the adoption followed the custom of the First Nation at the time of adoption, including all relevant dates and details of the adoption. For example:
  • documents issued by the province or territory recognizing the custom adoption
  • band council resolutions or equivalent documents issued by First Nations leadership
  • statutory declarations from anyone with knowledge of the custom adoption, such as the birth or adoptive parents, Elders, community members, friends, relatives or neighbours
  • any other credible evidence that is relevant to the custom adoption

If we already have your direct ancestor's adoption documents for the purpose of determining entitlement to registration, you may not need to submit additional documents to support their adoption.

We may ask you for additional information to confirm the details of the adoption.

If one of your birth parents isn't listed on your proof of birth document but is registered or entitled to be registered, you can submit:

• an original amended proof of birth document listing the unstated parent's name
• statutory declarations from biological parents affirming parentage
  1. the parent listed on the proof of birth document naming the unstated parent
  2. the unstated parent acknowledging parentage
• a court order declaring parentage
• original DNA test results demonstrating a conclusive 99% probability or higher of a parent-child relationship. The test results need to come from one of these laboratories accredited by the Standards Council of Canada:
  • Bureau Veritas
  • DNA Diagnostics Center
  • Genetrack Biolabs Inc.
  • Orchid PRO-DNA
  • Wyndham Forensic Group Inc.

If you can't submit any of those documents, you may submit:

• statutory declarations from family members, close relatives, Elders or community members, or anyone with knowledge of parentage
• church records
• hospital records
• school records
• band council resolutions
• First Nation membership or citizenship list
• any other credible evidence

Find out more:

• Unknown or unstated parentage

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 party is any person other than the parent, custodial parent or guardian.

When submitting a third-party application, you also need to submit:

1. a signed statement from the applicant providing consent to submit the application through the third party
2. original valid acceptable identification of the third party

You can apply for registration and a secure status card using your reclaimed name.

At this time, your last name, first names or alias or cultural name can only include letters from the Latin alphabet and some accented letters.

• To reclaim your last name or first names, you need to submit with your complete application a document that confirms your reclaimed name, such as:
  • a proof of birth document
  • a change-of-name certificate
• To reclaim your alias or cultural name, you don't need to submit a document that confirms your reclaimed name with your complete application.

The details you provide on the application form help us understand your ancestry to determine your entitlement to registration.

It's helpful to provide as much information as you can about your First Nations ancestors, for example, name, date of birth, registration number and First Nation affiliation.

To research family genealogy, visit:

• First Nations genealogy

To find out if you have ancestors registered under the Indian Act, visit:

• Get help researching your First Nations ancestry

If both your parents are entitled to affiliation with different First Nations, you can choose the First Nation with which you'd like to be affiliated.

Adopted applicants may also have the choice to be affiliated with their adoptive parent's or their birth parent's First Nation.

If the First Nation you would like to be affiliated with controls its own membership, you need to apply to that First Nation to become a member.

To find out if a First Nation controls its own membership and how to contact a First Nation:

• consult First Nations profiles
• contact Public enquiries