Social Insurance Number (SIN) - Proof-of-Identity Requirements
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Each time you apply for a Social Insurance Number card, you must provide a primary document and a supporting document if the name you are now using is different than the name appearing on your primary document.
All documents must be originals.
For a list of primary documents, select the category that best describes your status in Canada.
Canadian citizen born in Canada
Canadian citizen born outside Canada
Status Indian born in Canada
Status Indian born outside Canada
Permanent resident
Temporary residents
Canadian citizen born in Canada
The document must be an original.
-
Certificate of Birth or Birth certificate (issued in Canada by Vital Statistics
branch of the province or territory of your birth) Born in Quebec - Quebec birth certificates issued prior to January 1, 1994 are not acceptable. If your proof of birth was issued prior to this date, you must obtain a new one from the Registrar of Civil Status
.Born outside Canada - Birth certificates issued to Canadian citizens born outside Canada are not acceptable.
child under the age of 12 - the parent or legal guardian must also provide proof of identity.
person submitting an application on behalf of another person – must provide a valid photo identity document and an original letter signed by the applicant giving you authorization to submit the application on his/her behalf.
or
-
Population list
child under the age of 12 - the parent or legal guardian must also provide proof of identity.
person submitting an application on behalf of another person – must provide a valid photo identity document and an original letter signed by the applicant giving you authorization to submit the application on his/her behalf.
| Note: If the name you are now using is different than the name appearing on your primary document, you must also provide a supporting document. |
Canadian citizen born outside Canada
The document must be an original.
-
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
)child under the age of 12 - the parent or legal guardian must also provide proof of identity.
person submitting an application on behalf of another person – must provide a valid photo identity document and an original letter signed by the applicant giving you authorization to submit the application on his/her behalf.
or
-
Certificate of Birth Abroad (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
)child under the age of 12 - the parent or legal guardian must also provide proof of identity.
person submitting an application on behalf of another person – must provide a valid photo identity document and an original letter signed by the applicant giving you authorization to submit the application on his/her behalf.
| Note: If the name you are now using is different than the name appearing on your primary document, you must also provide a supporting document. |
Status Indian born in Canada
The document must be an original.
-
Certificate of Birth or Birth certificate
If you wish to have your status Indian to be shown on your SIN record, you must also submit a Certificate of Indian Status (issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada)
child under the age of 12 - the parent or legal guardian must also provide proof of identity.
person submitting an application on behalf of another person – must provide a valid photo identity document and an original letter signed by the applicant giving you authorization to submit the application on his/her behalf.
| Note: If the name you are now using is different than the name appearing on your primary document, you must also provide a supporting document. |
Status Indian born outside Canada
The document must be an original.
-
Certificate of Birth or Birth certificate AND a Certificate of Indian Status (issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
)
child under the age of 12 - the parent or legal guardian must also provide proof of identity.
person submitting an application on behalf of another person – must provide a valid photo identity document and an original letter signed by the applicant giving you authorization to submit the application on his/her behalf.
| Note: If the name you are now using is different than the name appearing on your primary document, you must also provide a supporting document. |
Permanent resident
The document must be an original.
-
Permanent Resident Card (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
or)
-
Confirmation of Permanent Residence AND Visa counterfoil in foreign passport (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
or)
-
Confirmation of Permanent Residence AND Visa counterfoil on Single Journey Document for Resettlement in Canada (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
or)
-
Confirmation of Permanent Residence AND Visa counterfoil on United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Travel Document (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
or)
Confirmation of Permanent Residence AND Visa counterfoil on Red Cross Travel Document (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
)
-
Record of Landing (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
)child under the age of 12 - the parent or legal guardian must also provide proof of identity.
person submitting an application on behalf of another person – must provide a valid photo identity document and an original letter signed by the applicant giving you authorization to submit the application on his/her behalf.
| Note: If the name you are now using is different than the name appearing on your primary document, you must also provide a supporting document. |
Temporary residents
The document must be an original.
-
Work Permit / Employment Authorization (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
or)
-
Study Permit / Student Authorization (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
or) AND a contract of employment from the learning institution or from an employer on campus
-
Visitor Record indicating eligibility for work in Canada (issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
or)
-
Diplomatic Identity Card (issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade) AND a letter of permission of employment
child under the age of 12 - the parent or legal guardian must also provide proof of identity.
person submitting an application on behalf of another person – must provide a valid photo identity document and an original letter signed by the applicant giving you authorization to submit the application on his/her behalf.
| Note: If the name you are now using is different than the name appearing on your primary document, you must also provide a supporting document. |
If the name on your primary document is different from the name you are now using,submit one of the following documents. Documents must be originals.
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Marriage certificate or marriage registration- This document is valid to change your surname. A marriage certificate is not acceptable for persons residing in Quebec and who were married in that province after April 1st, 1981. A marriage license is not acceptable.
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Divorce Decree- This document is valid to remove your spouse’s surname for a change in the surname only.
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Legal change of name document- This document is a certificate or a court order issued further to a provincial change of name act or under similar legislation.
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Adoption papers - This document has to be certified by a Canadian Court
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Request to Amend Immigration Record of Landing or confirmation of permanent residence
