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

Application forms and supporting documents you need to submit when you apply in person or by mail.

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
  • any regional office
  • your First Nations office, if they offer registration services
  • a trusted source, if they offer registration services
  For an adult (16 or older)

  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. original valid acceptable identification or a copy of the front and back of the 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.

  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:

  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. original valid acceptable identification of the applying parent, custodial parent or legal guardian or a copy of the front and back of the 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

  Legal authority to act for the child or dependent adult

  All living parents listed on the proof of birth document, or all custodial parents or legal guardians listed on the legal documents, need to sign the form. If a parent is deceased, you may need to provide the parent's death certificate.

  Depending on your application, you may need to submit other documents:

  If you were adopted as a minor by registered or entitled to be registered parents through a legal or custom adoption, you may be entitled to be registered.

  A legal adoption is handled by the court and includes legal documents and an adoption order. If you or the child or dependent adult have or has been legally adopted, you need to submit a complete application for registration and:

  1. a copy of the adoption order or a copy of a letter from the social services authorities confirming the details of the adoption
  2. a consent form signed and dated by the adopted applicant or, in the case of a child or dependent adult, by the adoptive parents or guardians, so we can get information about biological ancestry from the social services authorities involved in the adoption

  You can also submit a copy of the pre-adoption proof of birth listing the birth parents' names, if available.

  A custom adoption is carried out following the First Nation's practices. You need to submit additional documents to confirm the custom adoption.

  To find out what documents you need to submit if you or the child or dependent adult were or was adopted through a custom adoption, contact ISC.

  Contact ISC if adopted

  To find out more about what other documents you need to submit if you're adopted and to get a consent form:

  • contact Public enquiries
  • write to
    • Adoption Unit
      Indigenous Services Canada
      10 rue Wellington
      Gatineau QC K1A 0H4

    Any information provided to ISC by social services authorities is received in confidence and exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Privacy Act . ISC doesn't release any identifying information about birth parents or ancestors.

    Unknown or unstated parentage

    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

      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 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

        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:

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

        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 Nation Profiles
        • contact Public enquiries

        Find out more

        • Trusted sources for registration and status card applications
        • Indian Act