Getting Your First Sin Card: A Step-By-Step Guide

To work in Canada or access government programs and benefits, you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This is a 9-digit number that is connected to your personal, income tax, credit, and benefits information. It is issued by Service Canada, a federal employment and social development department, and there is no fee to apply for one. You can apply for a SIN in person, online, or by mail.

How to apply for a SIN card in person

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit identifier issued by the Canadian government to citizens, permanent residents, international students, and foreign workers. It is required for legal employment and access to government programs and benefits in Canada. Applying for a SIN is free of charge and can be done online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre.

• Prepare the required documents: Before visiting a Service Canada Centre, ensure you have all the necessary documents. The specific documents required may vary depending on your residency status in Canada. However, generally, you will need a primary identity document, a secondary identity document, and, if applicable, a supporting document and proof of address.
• Primary identity document: This proves your status in Canada. Canadian citizens can use birth certificates, certificates of Canadian citizenship, or passports. Permanent residents can use a permanent resident card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence. Temporary residents can use a work permit, study permit, or visitor record.
• Secondary identity document: This confirms your identity and date of birth. Examples include a Canadian or foreign passport, a Canadian driver's license, or a territorial ID card.
• Supporting document: If the name you currently use differs from the name on your primary or secondary documents, you will need a supporting document, such as a legal name change certificate or a marriage/divorce certificate.
• Proof of address: This document must confirm the address used on your SIN application and meet specific criteria.
• Visit a Service Canada Centre: Locate a Service Canada Centre near you. Consider using the online service request form to book an appointment in advance.
• Bring your original documents: When visiting the Service Canada Centre, bring your original identity documents. Photocopies will not be accepted. Having all the required documents will help avoid delays in processing your application.
• Complete the application form: You will need to fill out the SIN number application form (GC-NAS2120). If you are a representative applying on behalf of someone else, ensure the form is signed by the applicant, parent, or legal guardian, if applicable.
• Submit your application: Submit your completed application form along with the required documents to the Service Canada representative.
• Receive your SIN immediately: If your application and supporting documents are in order, you will be provided with your SIN number immediately during your visit.

Please note that it is essential to protect your SIN as it is private and confidential. Service Canada will not issue a new SIN if it is lost or stolen unless there is proof of fraudulent use.

How to apply for a SIN card online

Applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is easy and free of charge. Service Canada, a federal employment and social development department, accepts and processes all SIN applications in Canada.

To apply for a SIN card online, visit the Service Canada website and follow the steps outlined on the "Apply" section of the website. You will need to upload clear, legible digital copies of the required documents. The specific documents you will need to provide depend on your personal situation. However, here is a general overview of the documents that may be required:

• Primary identity document: This could include a birth certificate, certificate of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident card, or confirmation of permanent residence.
• Secondary document: This could include a Canadian passport, provincial or territorial ID card, or driver's license.
• Supporting document: This could include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, legal change of name certificate, or adoption order.

Once your application is received, you can expect to receive a letter with your SIN in the mail within 10 business days. If you provided your email address, you will receive an email confirming that your application has been received and another email once it has been processed. If your application is rejected, you will be informed of the requirements you need to meet to obtain a SIN.

It is important to note that incomplete applications or photocopied identity documents will not be accepted. Make sure to submit all the required documents and allow up to 10 business days for your application to be processed.

Other Ways to Apply for a SIN:

In addition to applying online, you can also apply for a SIN in person at one of the Service Canada offices or by mail. If you apply in person and your paperwork is in order, you will receive your SIN immediately. If you choose to apply by mail, you will need to send your original documents for verification to the Social Insurance Registration Office, and you can expect to receive your SIN confirmation letter by mail within 20 business days.

How to apply for a SIN card by mail

Applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is easy and free of charge. Service Canada, a federal employment and social development department, accepts and processes all SIN applications in Canada. You can submit your application in person, online, or by mail. Here is a detailed guide on how to apply for a SIN by mail:

Who Can Apply?

Citizens, permanent residents, international students, and foreign workers who meet the eligibility requirements to work or access government services in Canada can apply for a SIN. Children who are 12 years of age or older may apply for their own SIN. If the applicant is a minor or an adult, a legal guardian or legal representative must sign the application form.

Application Form

The applicant must complete and sign the SIN application form (GC-NAS2120) when applying for a SIN by mail. This form can be ordered by phone.

Required Documents

Along with the application form, you must submit the required documents. The specific documents depend on your residency status in Canada. Here is a general overview:

Primary Identity Document:

• Birth Certificate: Issued by the vital statistics agency in the province or territory of birth. Quebec proof of birth documents issued before 1994 is not accepted.
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Registration of Birth Abroad: Issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Permanent Resident Card: Issued by IRCC or CIC.
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR): Issued by IRCC and used within one year of becoming a permanent resident.
• Record of Landing: Issued by CIC before June 28, 2002.
• Work Permit: For foreign workers, issued by IRCC or CIC.
• Diplomatic Identity Card and Work Authorization: Issued by Global Affairs Canada.
• Study Permit: Issued by IRCC, indicating whether the international student is authorized to work in Canada.
• Visitor Record: Issued by IRCC, indicating authorization to work in Canada.

Additional Documents for Non-Residents:

If you are a non-resident with no legal status in Canada but are eligible for Canadian government benefits or pensions, you need to provide:

• Birth Certificate: Issued by a state authority from your country of birth.
• Confirmation Letter: For pension or benefits eligibility from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), or Régie des rentes du Québec (RRQ).

Supporting Documents:

If the name on any primary document doesn't match the SIN application, you'll need to provide supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, legal change of name certificate, adoption order, or request to amend the record of landing.

Documents for Representatives:

If you are a parent or legal guardian applying on behalf of a minor child, you must provide the child's primary identity document and your own primary and secondary proof of ID. A legal representative must provide the child's or adult's primary identity document and their employee photo ID or government-issued identification.

Translation Requirements:

If your documents are not in English or French, you must submit translations along with an attestation or affidavit written and signed by the translator. If a certified translator is used, submit an attestation; otherwise, submit an affidavit. Translations by family members are not acceptable.

Mailing Your Application

When mailing your SIN application, send your original documents for verification to the Social Insurance Registration Office:

Social Insurance Registration Office

PO Box 7000

Bathurst, NB E2A 4T1

Canada

Use a secure mailing service with tracking to safeguard your package. Service Canada will return your documents by mail once your application is complete, but they are not responsible for documents lost in the mail.

Processing Time

If you apply by mail and everything is in order, your application will typically be processed within 20 business days. If you haven't received a response within 25 business days, contact the SIN Program.

What documents do I need to apply for a SIN card?

To work in Canada or access government programs and benefits, you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This comes in the format of a 9-digit number. Service Canada is responsible for issuing SINs.

There is no fee to apply for a SIN. You can apply, update or obtain a SIN confirmation online, or in person at a Service Canada Centre or by mail.

Documents Required for a SIN Card

To apply for a SIN card, you must submit a SIN application and provide all the required documents. All documents must be digital copies of original documents, or the original copies themselves if applying in person or by mail. They must be clear, legible, and complete, showing the entire document, including borders. The documents must be in English or French. If they are in another language, you must also submit an English or French translation of the document, along with an attestation or affidavit written and signed by the translator.

Primary Identity Document

You must provide one of the following documents:

• Birth certificate issued by the vital statistics agency in the province or territory of birth
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued by IRCC or CIC
• Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad issued by CIC before 1977
• Permanent Resident card issued by IRCC or CIC
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) issued by IRCC
• Record of Landing issued by CIC before June 28, 2002
• Verification of Landing issued by IRCC or CIC
• Status Verification issued by IRCC or CIC
• Work permit issued by IRCC or CIC
• Study permit issued by IRCC or CIC which indicates the permit holder "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada
• Visitor record issued by IRCC or CIC showing that you are authorized to work in Canada
• Diplomatic identity card and a work authorization issued by Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

Additional Information for Permits

If you don’t have a work permit, or have issues with your study permit requirements, please contact IRCC.

If your SIN is expired, you may continue to work while waiting for your new immigration document if you maintain your status during the processing. Once IRCC authorizes you to continue working in Canada, you must apply to Service Canada with your new immigration document to update the expiry date on your SIN record. The expiry date on both your SIN record and your immigration document must match.

For Individuals Born Outside Canada and Registered Under the Indian Act

If you were born outside Canada, but are registered under the Indian Act, you must provide the following documents:

• Birth certificate issued by a state authority from your country of birth. If the document is not in English or French, see Translation requirements
• A Certificate of Indian Status issued by Indigenous Services Canada

For Individuals Living Outside Canada with No Legal Status in Canada

If you live outside of Canada with no legal status and qualify for Canadian government benefits or pensions, you must provide the following documents:

• Birth certificate issued by a state authority from your country of birth. If the document is not in English or French, see Translation requirements
• A statement of contribution or letter confirming that you qualify for pension or benefits from Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security or Régime des rentes du Québec

Secondary Document

A secondary document is a valid official document that confirms your identity. It must be issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial or territorial) or be a foreign passport. The following information must appear on the document:

Legal name (family name and given name)

Examples of acceptable secondary documents include:

• Passport (Canadian or foreign)
• Canadian provincial or territorial ID card or driver’s license
• Any other Canadian government-issued ID

Supporting Document

A supporting document is a legal document stating the name you currently use. If the name on any document provided is different from the name on the SIN application, submit a supporting document.

Examples of acceptable supporting documents include:

• Certificate of marriage, record of solemnization of marriage or marriage statement (or a similarly titled document, depending on the issuing authority) to support your family name after marriage
• Divorce decree, certificate of divorce or decree absolute issued in accordance with a court (Canadian or foreign) for the dissolution of a marriage to support the family name requested on the SIN record when it does not appear on the primary or secondary document
• Legal change of name certificate or court order document issued in accordance with provincial or territorial name change legislation
• Adoption order certified by a Canadian court (applies to adoptions in Canada only)
• Notarial certificate, also called notarial adoption certificate, issued by the country of origin of a child adopted abroad and used by the adoptive parents to have the SIN issued in the adopted child’s Canadian name
• Request to Amend Record of Landing issued by IRCC or CIC and used to amend a Record of Landing or a COPR

How do I get a SIN card for my child?

To apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for your child, you can submit your application with Service Canada in person, online, or by mail. This process is free of charge.

If your child is under 12 years old, you will need to sign the application form as their parent or legal guardian. If your child is over 12 years old and under the age of majority in their province/territory of residence, either you or your child can sign the application form.

When applying, you will need to provide one of the following valid primary identity documents:

• A birth certificate issued by an authorized agency in the province or territory where your child was born (documents issued before 1994 in Quebec are not accepted)
• A certificate of Canadian citizenship or registration of birth abroad issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• A birth certificate and a certificate of Indian status issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for registered Indians wanting to register their status in their SIN record

If the name on any primary documents doesn’t match the SIN number application, you’ll also need to provide one of the following supporting documents:

• A certificate of marriage or a similar document to support your family name after marriage (not applicable to Quebec residents who were married after April 1, 1981, regardless of the place of marriage)
• A divorce decree or similar document issued by the provincial/territorial court in Canada for the dissolution of marriage (documents issued by a foreign country are not acceptable)
• A legal change of name certificate or court order document issued per the provincial/territorial change of name act in Canada or similar legislation
• For a child adopted in Canada, an adoption order certified by a provincial/territorial court for adoption
• For a child adopted from abroad, a notarial adoption certificate issued by the country of origin
• A request to amend the record of landing issued by Immigration or IRCC

In addition to the above primary and/or supporting documents, in-person applications must include an original and valid secondary document issued by a federal or provincial government. This document should include your child's legal surname and given name as well as their date of birth, such as a Canadian or foreign passport, a Canadian provincial/territorial ID card or driver's license, or any other government-issued ID in Canada.

If you are applying by mail, you will need to send your valid original documents for verification to the Social Insurance Registration Office. You can find the address on the Service Canada website.

If your application and supporting documents are in order, you will receive your SIN immediately if applying in person or within 10 business days if applying online.

Frequently asked questions