Register under the Indian Act

What is it? 

Your legal status as a person registered under the Indian Act.

How long does it take? 

From 6 months to 2 years depending on the complexity of your file and the genealogical research needed.

How do you register? 

You can apply by mail or in person at any Indigenous Services Canada or Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs office or at your First Nation office.

Does it need to be renewed? 

No. Registration doesn’t expire.

What are the benefits? 

If you become registered, you may be entitled to a range of programs and services.

Is there a fee? 

There’s no fee to apply for registration.

What is it? A federal identity document that confirms you are registered under the Indian Act.

There are 2 versions: the Secure Certificate of Indian Status, or secure status card, and the Certificate of Indian Status, or status card.

How long does it take? If you become registered or if you’re already registered, it takes us from 8 to 12 weeks to issue a secure status card.

How do you apply? You can apply by mail or in person at any Indigenous Services Canada or Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs office for a secure status card. Some First Nations issue status cards. Contact your First Nation to apply for one.

Does it need to be renewed? Yes. A secure status card needs to be renewed every 10 years for adults and dependent adults and every 5 years for children. A status card needs to be renewed every 5 years for adults and dependent adults and every 3 years for children.

What are the benefits? Both cards can be used to access programs and services and are acceptable forms of government-issued photo ID.

Is there a fee? The Government of Canada does not charge a fee to apply for a secure status card.

My Child just turned 18, were all their distributions placed in a trust account?

Since 1973, the following distributions were put in trust:
2002 – July $150 Distro – Half ($75) was placed in trust.
2002 – September $300 Distro – Half ($150) was placed in trust.
2002 – December $300 Distro – Half ($150) was placed in trust.
2003 – July $1500 Distro – Half ($750) was placed in trust.
2004 – July $250 Distro – Half ($125) was placed in trust.

2022 – July $20,000 – Half ($10,000) was placed in trust.
2022 – December $10,000 – Half ($5,000) was placed in trust.
2023 – July $10,000 – Half ($5,000) was placed in trust.
2024 – July $500 – Half ($250) was placed in trust.

Anyone born and registered prior to July 2002 are eligible for all trusts when you turn 18.

Anyone born and registered prior to:

• Sept 2002 – Eligible for All except July 2022 distro
• Dec 2002 – Eligible for all except July & Sept 2002 distro’s
• July 2003 – Eligible for all except July, Sept and Dec 2002 distro’s
• July 2004 – Eligible for all except July 2022, Sept 2002, Dec 2002 and July 2003 distro’s

Anyone born and registered between July 2004 and July 2022 are only eligible for:
July 2022 Distribution
December 2022 Distribution
July 2023 Distribution
July 2024 Distribution

Are the trusts collecting interest? Yes.