The Certificate of Indian Status Background
The Certificate of Indian Status, more commonly referred to as a Status Card, is an official form of identification issued by Indian Northern Affairs Canada to a person who is registered as an indian under the provisions of the Indian Act. Card holders are entitled to service and benefits that include non-insured healthcare and certain tax exemptions on purchases.
Reminder of the Identification Requirements as outlined in the Status Card Policy. The Status Card Policy states that an applicant is to provide the Membership Clerk with two (2) pieces of identification:
Primary I.D. Photo I.D.
Canadian Passport
Provincial I.D.
Employee I.D.
Student I.D.
Firearm Licence
Drivers Licence
Secondary I.D.
Birth Certificate
Provincial Health Card
Valid Indian Status Card (before it Expires)
This is From Bob Poole (Manager, Indian Registry & Band Lists)
If it comes to our attention that an IRA (Indian Registration Administrator) is issuing status cards to individuals who are only presenting one piece of valid I.D. or no I.D. at all, we will have no choice but to remove their authority to issue status cards.
I have a policy directive from the office of the Indian Registry advising us that, effective immediately, original long form birth certificates MUST be provided for all registrations of birth.
Yours Truly,
Ruby Adam