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Regional Operations

Indian Status and Treaty Payments

Services that INAC provides include the maintenance of the Indian Register and the Annuity Payments service delivery.

Annual treaty payments are made to those who are registered as an Indian and a member of a First Nation that signed a treaty providing for annual treaty payments. Treaty annuities are normally paid in cash at Treaty Day events.

Indian Register/Certificate of Indian Status - Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Certificate of Indian Status or Status Card?
The Certificate of Indian Status (CIS), more commonly referred to as a status card, is an official form of identification issued by INAC to a person who is registered as an Indian under the provisions of the Indian Act.

Why does INAC issue a status card?
The status card is issued to confirm the cardholder's recognition by the Government of Canada as a person who is registered as an Indian under the Indian Act.

Who is eligible for a status card?
Any person who is registered as an Indian under the Indian Act is eligible for a status card.

What is a status card used for?
The status card is an identification card for status Indians. It provides evidence that a person is entitled to receive programs and services which include non-insured healthcare and certain tax exemption.

Where are status cards issued?
Status cards are issued by INAC Headquarters, INAC Regional and District Offices, and approximately 440 Indian Registry Administrators (IRA) located at First Nation band offices.

What are the accepted forms of identification required to get my status card?
The types of acceptable documents will include any two of the following (one of which must contain either a photograph or signature):

• Driver's License
• Birth or Baptismal Certificate
• Provincial Health Card
• Employee ID Card with digital photo
• Student ID Card with digital photo

A valid Canadian passport will be accepted on its own at the time of renewal.

What else do I need to have with me when I request my status card?
A recent photograph approximately 2.5 cm by 3.75 cm (1 inch by 1.5 inches) in size, either in colour or black and white. It must be a head and shoulders shot with no headgear, sunglasses or similar apparel.

Is the status card accepted as a form of identification for Canada-United States (US) border crossing?
The use of the current status card as a form of identification at the Canada-US border has been under review for a number of years; however, INAC does not regulate which types of documents are acceptable at the Canada-US border.

How often do status cards need to be renewed?
Individuals 18-years-old and older are required to renew their status card every five years in order to update the information (photo, etc.) Individuals under the age of 18 are required to renew their status card every three years.

Indian Register Overview
Indian Status - More frequently asked questions
Application for Certificate of Indian Status -

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