How registration applications are processed and why processing times vary

On this page

• Overview of the application process
• Application processing times
• Examples of why some applications take longer
• Tips to avoid delays

Overview 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
  • Applicable quality assurance process to ensure accurate decision-making
• Step 4: Registration decision communicated
  • Letter sent to communicate the decision to the applicant and registration administrator
  • Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) issued, if requested

Application processing times

If you've submitted a complete application, you'll usually receive a decision letter within 6 months. If we need additional information, it can take up to 2 years or more in some cases.

If we contact you for more information, respond as soon as possible to avoid processing delays. You can keep your address updated by contacting Public enquiries.

Examples of why some applications take longer

Some registration applications take more time than others for many reasons. Here's some examples of the most common ones:

• your application is missing needed documents, for example:
  • proof of birth, legal name, marriage and/or death documents
  • identification
  • legal documents to demonstrate decision-making authority on behalf of a child or dependent adult
• you're affected by an adoption or unknown or unstated parentage
  • if you can't get records confirming your birth information, ISC needs your consent to get it from provincial and territorial authorities
  • custom adoptions and adoptions that took place as an adult require additional documents
  • additional evidence may need to be requested to determine entitlement through an unstated or unknown ancestor
• historical research is needed for more than one generation of ancestors or to link ancestors to a First Nation in Canada
  • if your ancestors aren't already registered or have been impacted by legislative changes, ISC needs to assess entitlement for multiple generations
  • if the link between you and a registered or entitled ancestor and/or First Nation isn't clear, you will be asked for more information before ISC proceeds with application processing
• your ancestor's entitlement to registration is under review, protest or appeal 
• more information is required for any other reason

Tips to avoid processing delays

• Read the registration application instructions carefully and use the checklist to make sure your application is complete
• If you believe you may be impacted by one of the common reasons for delays, submit any relevant documents you can to establish your link to an entitled or registered ancestor or First Nation, for example:
  • Your ancestor's proof of birth document, if they're not already registered
  • Your or your ancestor's name-linking documents if there is a name variance across documentation
  • Your or your ancestor's marriage document, if the marriage took place before April 17, 1985
  • Family trees, statutory declarations or any other credible evidence to demonstrate entitlement
• Get help researching your First Nations ancestry from ISC, Library and Archives Canada or a genealogical researcher
• Submit your application in person and get help to make sure your application is complete at:
  • any regional office
  • your First Nations office, if they offer registration services
  • a trusted source, if they offer registration services