Social Insurance Number

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There is no fee to apply for a SIN.

You can apply in person at a Service Canada Centre or online, upload your digital documents securely and, if eligible, view your SIN online once your application has been processed.

For employment in Canada or to avail of government services and benefits, a 9-digit Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required.

It’s crucial to keep your SIN confidential, as its unauthorized use by others is against the law. Safeguarding your SIN is your responsibility.

Required documents.

A primary identity documentthat proves your identity and status in Canada. It differs according to your status in Canada.

A secondary document that confirms your identity.

The secondary document must be valid (unless it belongs to a deceased individual). 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), andDate of birth.

Examples of secondary documents:

  • A passport (Canadian or foreign).
  • A 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:

  • A certificate of marriage to support your family name after marriage.
  • Note: For Quebec residents married after April 1, 1981, the marriage certificate or registration cannot be used to support a family name change, regardless of the province or country in which the marriage took place.
  • A 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.
  • A legal change of name certificate or court order document issued in accordance with provincial or territorial name change legislation.
  • An adoption order certified by a Canadian court (applies to adoptions in Canada only).
  • A notarial 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.
  • A request to Amend a Record of Landing issued by IRCC or CIC and used to amend a Record of Landing or a COPR.

Select below the scenario that best describes your situation and find out which document you must provide.

Submit a SIN application to:

  • request a SIN for the first time.
  • obtain a confirmation of your SIN.
  • correct an error on a SIN record.
  • update a legal change of name.
  • update the citizenship status on your SIN record.
  • update your immigration document’s expiry date on your SIN record.
  • remove your disc number from your SIN record.

To protect your personal information, never leave your computer or device unattended while filling out a SIN application online. Always close your browser if you step away from your computer or device.