Information on Getting a Status Card

A Secure Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card) verifies your First Nations or Inuit heritage. You can get benefits and resources specifically for First Nations or Inuit people once you've got a Status Card.

  • To be eligible for a Status Card, you must be registered as a Status Indian. To register as a Status Indian, you must be:

    • You are part of a band.

    • Your biological parents were or are eligible to register.

    If you have a Status Card, you have certain rights and benefits that may not be available to Non-Status Indians or Métis people. This may include:

    • On-reserve housing

    • Education benefits

    • Non-Insured Health benefits

    • Tax exemptions

    If neither of these are true, but you believe you have a First Nations or Inuit heritage, check these other requirements.

  • 1) Fill out and print off the Indian Registration application form. Choose the adult application if you are 18 or over. If you are under 18 years old, select the child application.

    2) Mail your form to the following address:
    Indian Registration and Band Lists
    Registration, Revenues and Band Governance Branch
    Ottawa, ON
    K1A 0H4

    Important Note: For “Section C” of the application form, if you are unsure of your band number or the band number of your parents, leave it blank. It is however important to know your band name.

  • To apply for a Status Card, you will need the following:

    1) The Status Card application form. You will complete this in full and send it by mail (see step 3 for instructions).

    2) Two passport-style photographs with both the photographer's and your guarantors signature on the back. You can get your photos done at many places, such as Walmart, Superstore, Shopper’s Drug Mart, and Costco which all have passport photo services.

    3) One piece of valid ID. You can send either the original identification (this will be mailed back to you), or you can photocopy the front and back of your ID and have your guarantor sign and date the photocopies as an alternative.

    4) Someone to sign the Declaration of Guarantor section of the application form. This can be anyone over 18 who has a Canadian passport and has known you for two years. This individual must fill out the Guarantor Declaration: Registration and Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) form. If you can’t find a guarantor, you must fill out and submit Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor: Registration and Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) form.

  • Submit the following material to the address below:

    1) Your completed Status Card application form.

    2) Your completed Guarantor Form to be filled out by your guarantor. If you did not have a guarantor, then send the “Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor: Registration and Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS)” form.

    3) One piece of valid ID (original or photocopy of both sides that is signed and dated by your guarantor).

    4) Your signed two passport-style photos (signed by the photographer and your guarantor).


    Send by mail to:
    The Registrar
    Indian Registration and Band Lists Registration, Revenues and Band Governance Branch
    Ottawa, ON K1A 0H4

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