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• Q1) What is a Certificate of Indian Status or Status card and why does INAC issue it?
  • The Certificate of Indian Status, more commonly referred to as a Status card, is an identity document issued for administrative reasons by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to confirm that the cardholder is registered as a Status Indian under the Indian Act.
• Q2) Why is INAC creating a new and improved Status card?
  • This initiative is called the Secure Certificate of Indian Status Project. It originated through a joint initiative between the Assembly of First Nations and the Lands and Trust Services Sector of INAC and a related project with Treaty 7 First Nations. The goal is to address the need for increased security features on Status cards so issues of stolen identity and fraud can be reduced or eliminated.
    
    The new Secure Certificate of Indian Status features several security improvements that significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized alterations or duplication. This helps to ensure the ongoing integrity of the programs and services by protecting them from incidences of fraud and identity theft. Status Indians will have easier access to the services and benefits they are eligible to receive, as service providers will have renewed confidence knowing these cards are legitimate.
• Q3) Why is there a delay with the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status project?
  • Over 15,000 applications were received in the initial phase of implementation of the SCIS project. In September 2009, INAC suspended the application process due to technical issues.
    
    To ensure the integrity of the process, INAC worked with independent assessors to make certain that the security of the technological and processing components of the SCIS is reliable and secure. This also provides assurance to First Nations individuals that the information collected remains protected. The technical issues are now resolved and processing has resumed for the 15,000 initial applications. We started sending cards to applicants on December 21, 2009.
    
    For those that have not yet applied, a new application process is being developed and will be implemented in a phased approach across Canada.
• Q4) When will the Secure Certificate of Indian Status be available?
  • On December 21, 2009, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada began issuing Secure Certificates of Indian Status to applicants who applied in the communities that received advance application intake visits in the spring of 2009 and whose files were complete. INAC is continuing to contact those applicants from whom we require further information in order to complete processing of their application.
    
    A new process for applying is being developed which will be implemented in a phased approach across Canada, starting with the four First Nations which were previously scheduled for advance application processing. Updates on the phased application approach will be available on our website in the near future
• Q5) Will the new SCIS be accepted at U.S. land and water ports of entry?
  • Yes. On December 21, 2009, the Government of Canada received approval from the United States that the border crossing format of the Secure Certificate of Indian Status is a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant document to enter the U.S. by land or water.
• Q6) Is my current Status Card an acceptable document to present when visiting the United States?
  • Yes. INAC has been advised that Department of Homeland Security will continue to accept the current Indian Status Card as a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant document for a reasonable transition period through 2010. The interim flexible solution being applied by DHS allows for the use of the current Indian status card to cross the border, by land or water, into the United States (U.S.). The Government of Canada cautions individuals that the period and extent of this flexibility is entirely at the discretion of U.S. officials and reminds travelers that when entering the U.S. via air that a valid passport or NEXUS card is required.
    
    If you urgently require documentation for visiting the United States, please contact Passport Canada .
    
    INAC will inform all First Nations of any developments on this important issue through our website.
• Q7) What will happen to the old versions of the Status card once the new one is introduced?
  • Older versions of the Status card will remain valid until their renewal date.
• Q8) How many formats of the Secure Certificates of Indian Status are in circulation?
  • There are two formats of the SCIS in circulation. The first format is for accessing services and benefits in Canada. The second format contains a Machine-Readable Zone and is an acceptable document when visiting the U.S. via land and water ports-of-entry.
    
    To see the prototype's of the SCIS please visit the "New Card Design" section of our website.
• Q9) Who is eligible for a Status card and what is it used for?
  • Any individual registered as an Indian under the Indian Act is eligible for a Status card, regardless of age, and can voluntarily apply for a card. The Status card is provided to assist registered Indians in accessing a wide range of entitlements, programs and services administered by federal agencies, provincial governments and other private sector program and service providers. Many of these organizations use the Status card as the main or sole proof that a person is entitled to receive the benefits.
• Q10) Will Applicants be charged a fee to obtain or renew their Status card? Is the Status card compulsory?
  • No, the Government of Canada will not be charging Applicants any fees to obtain or renew their Status card.
    
    The new Secure Certificate of Indian Status will NOT be compulsory, but will help Applicants obtain all the benefits they are entitled to as a registered Indian quickly and efficiently.
• Q11) Why and how often do Status cards need to be renewed?
  • Renewals of current Status Cards are necessary to comply with international standards (International Civil Aviation Organization) and to meet the requirements of updating cardholder's personal information and photograph. Renewal dates for Status cards are automatically linked with the cardholder's date of birth.
    
    Once the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status is in circulation, individuals 16 years of age and over will have to renew their cards every five years on or before the individual's birthday. For those 15 years of age and under the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status will be renewable every three years on or before the cardholder's birthday.
• Q12) How will the secure card be an improvement?
  • The enhanced version of the Status card incorporates modern national and international standards for document security. The prototype card has been designed as a result of a survey, focus group testing and several evaluations led by the Canada Border Services Agency. This secure version of the Status card will include specialized graphic design elements and enhanced security features that will protect the privacy of the cardholder while minimizing the opportunity for unauthorized alteration, duplication or use.
• Q13) What are the accepted forms of identification required to obtain a new Secure Certificate of Indian Status?
  • Registered Indians 16 years and older:
    
    • Your previous valid status card; AND
    • Your original birth certificate (long or short form); AND
    • Other valid* form of identification
    
    
    Registered Indians 65 years of age:
    
    • Your previous valid status card; AND
    • Your original birth certificate (Baptismal Certificates are acceptable however    individuals will not receive a SCIS that can be used for border crossing.)
    • Other valid* form of identification
    
    
    Children 15 years of age and under:
    
    • Need to be accompanied by both parents or legal guardians (if applicable)
    • The child's original birth certificate (long form) and, as appropriate,
       any previous valid Status Card
    • Both parents (or legal guardians) must present a valid* form of photo
       identification
    • Both parents (or legal guardians) are required to sign the application form.
    • Legal guardians also require documentation of guardianship
    • In cases of separation or divorce, the parents will need to provide copies of    the most recent legal documents (in entirety) regarding the child's
       custody, access or mobility.
    
    
    *Other valid forms of identification include:
    
    • Passport (equivalent to 2 IDs)
    • Driver's license (provincial or territorial)
    • Government-issued employee ID card (with digitized photograph)
    • Other government-issued ID card (including federal, provincial or territorial)
    
    
    *If a valid status card (renewal date has not been reached) is not available, the individual will have to fill in a Statutory Declaration and the adult must present an alternative ID (with a photo).
    
    If an individual has never been issued a status card, they must present a valid photo ID.
• Q14) Will the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status contain a microchip or "smart card" features?
  • No.
• Q15) How is personal information appearing on Status cards protected under Privacy legislation?
  • Privacy is a key element of all aspects of this project. Personal information contained in the Indian Register and maintained by INAC is protected under the federal Privacy Act. Any concerns regarding this Act should be directed to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at the toll-free number of 1-800-282-1376. Further information is available on the web site for the Privacy Commissioner of Canada 
• Q16) Will the information contained on the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status differ from the paper laminated version?
  • No. The personal information that will be contained on the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status includes the same data as the current paper laminated Status Card. The data fields included on the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status are the person's name, card number, registration number, gender and date of birth.
    
    Like all forms of identification, it is the responsibility of the individual to protect the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status and the information it contains.
• Q17) Will the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status enable First Nations persons born in Canada to travel to the United States to live or work without obtaining an alien registration card (green card) or work permit?
  • Laws of United States Immigration and Naturalization require that First Nations persons born in Canada have at least 50 percent Aboriginal blood quantum to enter the United States to live or work without a green card or work permit.
    
    Canadian law is different in that registration as an Indian under the provisions of the Indian Act is not based on percentage of Indian blood quantum. Under previous Indian Acts, it was possible for non-Indians to gain Indian status through marriage. Under the current Act, non-Indians can gain status through adoption by registered Indians.
    
    As such, United States Immigration and Naturalization usually requests that an individual provide a letter of blood quantum from his or her First Nation or a letter from an INAC office verifying an individual's Indian ancestry. For further information, check the United States Embassy, Consular Services Canada  website.
• Q18) Is there a link between the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status and the Jay Treaty?
  • No. The Jay Treaty of 1794 provided free border crossing rights for "the Indians dwelling on either side of the boundary line" between Upper and Lower Canada and the United States, and exemption from duty or taxes on their "own proper goods" when crossing the border.
    
    After the War of 1812, the Treaty of Ghent between Britain and the United States was intended to restore the border crossing rights of the Jay Treaty, but legislation implementing these rights in Upper and Lower Canada lapsed. Because of this, the Jay Treaty is not recognized in Canada. There is therefore no link between the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status and the Jay Treaty.
    
    In the 1920s, the United States changed its immigration laws and ever since Canadian-born people with at least 50 per cent Aboriginal blood can enter, live in and work in the United States without immigration restrictions.
• Q19) Can First Nations expect any changes concerning the ways the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status will be used?
  • There are no changes planned as to how INAC will use the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status. This is largely a matter determined by service or program providers outside of INAC. However, INAC will take steps to raise awareness among cardholders, service providers and all government agencies of the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status as a valid and credible proof of Indian status.
• Q20) How will stakeholders such as service providers and provinces/ territories be made aware of the implementation of the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status?
  • An information campaign has been launched to inform all stakeholders of the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status implementation plan.
• Q21) Will service providers and other organizations have access to the information contained in the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status? What will they do with the information?
  • Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has no ability to control how service providers and other organizations will use the information. It is up to individual cardholders to decide if they want to voluntarily allow such organizations to have access to the information on their card. Keep in mind that the Machine Readable Zone will contain no more information than is already clearly visible on the card. Once a cardholder voluntarily allows a service provider or other organization access to the Status card, the information that is visibly present on the card is then available to that business or organization.
• Q22) Once available, will I be able to apply for the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status by mail?
  • Due to the security measures associated with the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status, mail-in applications will not normally be accepted.

Further Information

For further information related to your eligibility to be registered as a Status Indian, or to obtain a new Secure Certificate of Indian Status once you are registered, contact any IRA or INAC office. Further information regarding the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status is available by telephoning toll-free 1-800-567-9604, emailing InfoPubs@ainc-inac.gc.ca or viewing the INAC Web site.

Further information relating to various benefit entitlements can be found at the following Web sites:

• Benefits Information, Non-Insured Health Benefits, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada  or 1-800-259-5611
  
  
• Status Indians, Aboriginal Peoples, Canada Revenue Agency  or 613-598-2275
  
  
• Dental 1-888-332-9222