Status Cards (Online applications)

Overview

This service provides adults with a way to apply for registration on the Indian Register and to obtain the Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS). The application process covers new registrations as well as applications made under legislative changes to the Indian Act, and helps eligible First Nations people obtain official recognition and an updated status card.

Who Can Use This Service

This application is for adults who are 16 years of age or older and who are seeking registration on the Indian Register and/or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status. It may also be used by people applying under specific amendments to the Indian Act, including changes related to gender equity and past court decisions.

What the Application Involves

The process guides applicants through providing personal information, choosing a First Nation or Band where there is a choice, and supplying the documents needed to confirm identity, family connections, and eligibility for registration. It also supports people who have experienced name changes or who were adopted as children, so that their current identity can be linked to their birth or adoption records.

Documents Applicants Need to Provide

To complete the application, applicants must provide an original proof of birth document and, if applicable, legal documents that show any changes to their name. Applicants also need to provide valid identity documents, and in some cases a guarantor who can confirm their identity. Additional information and documents may be needed if the applicant was adopted as a child or is requesting the Secure Certificate of Indian Status.

Family Information and Adoption

Family information is used to determine entitlement to registration. Applicants are asked to provide family details up to the first registered family member, including registration numbers and Band names when available. People who were adopted as children may need to provide information about their adoptive parents, and, where possible, about their birth family. Consent may be requested so that authorities can confirm information related to birth ancestry.

Secure Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card)

Applicants who are requesting the Secure Certificate of Indian Status will also be asked to provide photos and a signature that meet specific requirements. These are used to produce a secure status card that includes the person’s name, photo, and other identifying information in a standardized format.

What This Service Helps With

By completing this application, eligible individuals can be formally registered on the Indian Register and receive a Secure Certificate of Indian Status. This supports access to programs and services linked to registration, and provides a secure, recognized form of identification that reflects the person’s status under the Indian Act.