Program:

• To determine whom is entitled to be registered as an Indian under the Indian Act and to enter those names into the Indian Register. This identifies those persons who are eligible for services and benefits that are specifically designed for registered Indians.
  
  
• To maintain a list of persons who are entitled to be members of First Nations that has not assumed control of their own membership. Normally, this is done in conjunction with the determination of entitlement to registration.
  
  
• To receive and make decisions on protests to decisions to add persons to, and delete persons from the Indian Register or DIAND maintained First Nation membership lists.
  
  
• To promote the devolution of the local registration program to the First Nation community and tribal council level.

Program History / Background:

The Indian Act sets out criteria that a person must meet in order to be registered as an Indian. A departmental official known as the Registrar makes decisions on registration. A person who disagrees with a decision of the Registrar can lodge protest with the Registrar. A person who is still not satisfied can then appeal to the Courts.

First Nations have the option of determining their own membership or leaving these decisions with DIAND. The eligibility criterion for entry on DIAND maintained First Nation lists is similar to that for determining eligibility for registration. If DIAND determines the membership of applicant's First Nation, the addition of the applicant to First Nation membership normally takes place at the same time as registration.

IRS CIS Project:

The Indian Registration System has been re-engineered under a GOL (Government On Line) initiative known as the IRS CIS Project.

• Indian Registry System (IRS) / Certificate of Indian Status (CIS)
• Issuance of Certificate of Indian Status (CIS)
• Transfer of Control of Membership
• New First Nations

Application for Registration of an Adult Under the Indian Act (PDF 56 Kb)
83-044 E, ver. 01-2001

Application for Registration of a Child Under the Indian Act (PDF 57 Kb)
(83-044A E, ver. 01-2001

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