Changes to SIN program (archives)

[ download application form | what's new ]

• The Government of Canada (GOC) is continuing to strengthen the Social Insurance Number (SIN) proof-of-identity requirements.

  On April 3, 2004, if your Social Insurance Number (SIN) begins with 9 and your SIN card does not have an expiry date, it will no longer be valid.

  (SINs that begin with the number 9 are issued to people who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents, who need a SIN for employment purposes or to comply with other authorized uses.)

  To amend or add an expiry date to your SIN card, you must complete an application form and provide acceptable proof of identification.

  As of April 1, 2004, the following documents are no longer acceptable by the Social Insurance Number Program:

  • Permit to come into or remain in Canada/ Temporary Resident Permit

  • Extension of Permit / Extension to Temporary Resident Permit

• As of January 1, 2004, we will no longer accept the following documents:

  • Record of Landing issued prior to June 28, 1973

  • Confirmation of Landing

  • Returning Resident Permit

• The Government is pleased to respond to the Sixteenth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, which considered Chapter 1 of the 2002 Report of the Auditor General of Canada on The Integrity of the Social Insurance Number.
  Report
  

• HRDC began to issue a new version of the SIN card on September 12, 2003 which carries different messages on the back of the card and the signature strip has been removed. These changes will help to reinforce that the SIN card is a client account number for certain Government of Canada programs and services, and not an identity document.
  News Release
  

• The Government of Canada has responded to the Second Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities: Taking the Necessary Measures to Enhance the Integrity of the Social Insurance Number: A Review of the action Plan, tabled in the House of Commons in July 2003.
  Response
  

• Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) has announced changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) Regulations to introduce expiry dates on all 900-series Social Insurance Numbers (SINs). Starting March 30, 2003, these SINs will be valid until the end of the person’s authorized stay in Canada to a maximum of five years.
  News Release
  Background

 

• Changes to the Proof of Identity Requirements for Social Insurance Numbers
  
  Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) is strengthening the Social Insurance Number (SIN) proof-of-identity requirements. Human Resources Development Canada is taking this increased security action to help prevent identity fraud.
  
  
  • As of October 8, 2002, HRDC will accept only original identity documents as proof of identity when applying for a Social Insurance Number. Certified photocopies are no longer acceptable. Also, some documents are no longer acceptable. Click here for details.
    
    
  • As of August 1, 2002, the baptismal certificates and expired passports will no longer be accepted as proof of identity when applying for a SIN. Click here for details