Service Canada is the Government of Canada’s service-delivery network; you can access over 70 government services through Service Canada. Service Canada is also responsible for Social Insurance Numbers (SIN), which are personal identification numbers issued to each resident of Canada, for employment, tax, and other purposes (to receive government benefits, etc.). The concept is similar to Social Security Numbers in the U.S.
When You Need a SIN
- To file your taxes, you will need a SIN.
- To work in Canada you will need a SIN.
- To be eligible for government benefits, you will need a SIN. Even if you have been hired from abroad to work with a Canadian company, it is still your responsibility to apply for a SIN after you arrive. No one can do this on your behalf (except in cases of legal guardianship, etc.). Your employer will require you to provide your SIN shortly after you begin work, so it is best to apply soon after you arrive in Canada. Unless you are a landed immigrant (permanent resident) or Canadian citizen, you will receive a temporary SIN, beginning with the number 9 (same goes for your CareCard).
To apply, gather your documents and take them to your nearest Service Canada Center. You can usually get your SIN (card will be mailed to you) the same day.
List of Documents
Primary Documents
You need to provide a primary document to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), replace your card or amend your SIN record (e.g. a name change).
A primary document is an official document that proves your identity and status in Canada. It must be an original of your primary document. If the name on this document is different from the name you currently use, you will also need to provide a supporting document.
You must submit one of the following primary documents with your application:
Canadian citizens
- Certificate of Birth or Birth Certificate issued by the vital statistics agency in the province or territory where you were born (Note: We do not accept Quebec proof-of-birth documents issued prior to 1994).
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
- Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad issued prior to 1977 by CIC.
Registered Indians
If you are a registered Indian and you want to register your status on your SIN record, submit one of the following:
• if you were born in Canada, you must submit your original primary document (see section on Canadian Citizens) and a Certificate of Indian Status issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
• if you were born outside Canada, you must submit your original foreign birth certificate and a Certificate of Indian Status issued by INAC.
Permanent residents
Permanent Resident Card issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This is the only acceptable document if your claim was processed in Canada.
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence AND visa counterfoil affixed to a foreign passport or a travel document
- Record of Landing issued before June 28, 2002.
Temporary residents
- Work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
- Study permit issued by CIC and a contract of employment from the learning institution or employer on campus where you obtained authorization to study by CIC (this contract must show the start and end date of employment and these dates must fall within the study permit dates).
- Visitor record issued by CIC, indicating you are authorized to work in Canada.
- Diplomatic identity card and a note of permission of employment issued by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT).
Important note for temporary residents: you will receive a temporary SIN card that begins with the number “9”. Your SIN card expires on the date indicated on the front of the card. This expiry date is based on the CIC document that authorizes you to work in Canada.
Supporting Documents
A supporting document is a legal document indicating the name you currently use. It is required if the name on your primary document is different. Your supporting document must be an original, written in English or French.
In addition to your primary document, you will need to submit one of the following supporting documents with your application, if required:
- 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. (Note: This does not apply to Quebec residents, regardless of where they were married after April 1, 1981).
- Legal change-of-name certificate or court order document issued in accordance with provincial name 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 card issued in the adopted child’s Canadian name.
- Request to Amend Record of Landing issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and used to amend a Record of Landing or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence document.
List of forms
• Social Insurance Number application form (NAS2120 05-04)
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/cgi-bin/search/eforms/index.cgi?app=prfl&frm=nas2120&ln=eng
• Personal Information Request Form (TBC/CTC350-58)
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/tbsf-fsct/350-58-eng.asp
Service Canada Locations:
Vancouver Service Canada Centre
Harry Stevens Business Building
125 10th Avenue East
Vancouver, British Columbia
Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Fraser Service Canada Centre
4242 Fraser Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Vancouver (Hastings Street) Service Canada Centre
Sinclair Centre, Suite 415
757 Hastings Street West
Vancouver, British Columbia
Monday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday – Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
North Shore Service Canada Centre
221 Esplanade West , Suite 100
North Vancouver, British Columbia
Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Burnaby Service Canada Centre
4279 Canada Way
Burnaby, British Columbia
Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Richmond Service Canada Centre
350 – 5611 Cooney Road
Richmond, British Columbia
Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
The Service Canada website is a virtual trove of information on all sorts of topics to do with living in Canada and can provide many answers to unanswered questions. Please access the website: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/home.shtml.
When You Do Not Need a SIN
- You don’t need a SIN to apply for housing, go to school, apply for credit, or in of these types of situations.
- The only times you are legally obligated to provide your SIN is to receive certain government benefits, to file your taxes, and you must provide your SIN to your employer. Otherwise you should NEVER give out your SIN to anyone, because your identity can be stolen with this information. However, it is likely you will encounter different situations/people asking for your SIN (it is not against the law to ask for someone’s SIN) from time to time. Unless it is a government agency requesting it, simply politely refuse. You can refer to the information on Service Canada’s website: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/about/reports/sin/cop/section2.shtml#2_3
