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Membership

Lake Babine Nation’s Current Population: 2,530 registered members

Lake Babine Nation – Membership Services 
Located downstairs in the Social Development Wing
Woyenne Administration Building 225 Sus Avenue, Burns Lake, BC

LBN Members are encouraged to share this information with Elders or community members who do not use social media or have internet access.

Appointments Required

Membership Services are available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
To book an appointment, please contact:
(250) 692-4740
Toll-Free: 1 (888) 692-3214
Email: Click here to send an email to membership

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please contact the Membership Clerk to cancel or reschedule.

Late Arrival Policy

Members must arrive on time for their scheduled appointment. A 15-minute grace period is permitted. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, you will be required to rebook your appointment.

Membership Services – Appointment Process

Membership Services are provided by appointment only to ensure members receive the best possible assistance and that all required documentation can be prepared in advance.

Booking an Appointment

  • Members aged 16 and over must contact Membership Services themselves to request an appointment.

  • For individuals aged 15 and under, a parent or legal guardian must contact the office on their behalf.

  • Appointments can be requested by calling the office.

If an appointment cannot be scheduled immediately, your contact information will be taken, and Membership Services will return your call to arrange a suitable appointment time.

Arriving for Your Appointment

When you arrive for your appointment:

  1. Enter through the main entrance or through downstairs.

  2. Check in with the receptionist at the reception desk.

  3. The receptionist will notify Membership Services that you have arrived.

  4. Please wait until you are called for your appointment.

Walk-In Inquiries

If you arrive without an appointment:

  • Please check in with the receptionist.

  • The receptionist will check if Membership Services has availability.

  • If no appointment is available at the time, your contact information will be taken so an appointment can be arranged.

Identification Requirements

Please bring valid government-issued photo identification, as it is required for most Membership Services.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Membership Services involve personal and confidential information. For privacy reasons:

  • Information can only be discussed directly with the member, or

  • With a parent or legal guardian for individuals aged 15 and under, or

  • With another person only if proper written, signed, and dated consent has been provided.

Preparing for Your Appointment

Scheduling appointments in advance helps ensure:

  • The correct forms are prepared ahead of time

  • Required documentation can be confirmed

  • Members receive efficient and complete service

Available Forms for view/download:

Also available on the Indigenous Services Canada website: Click here to visit the Indigenous Services Canada Website

Authorizing or Withdrawing Consent for Another Individual or Company

A new authorization/withdrawal form is now available for Lake Babine Nation members who wish to:

  • Authorize an individual or company to act on their behalf

  • Withdraw previously given authorization

Form: AUTHORITY TO RELEASE PERSONAL INFORMATION FORM – LBN IRA (CLICK HERE TO VIEW/DOWNLOAD)

Please contact Membership Services to submit this form whenever needed.

Ensure your authorization or withdrawal of consent is up to date and submitted as required.

Important Notices:

  • Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) – Paper Laminated cards are NOT available at this time.

  • To protect your personal and confidential information,
    DO NOT use Lake Babine Nation’s Facebook Messenger
    DO NOT contact the Membership Clerk’s personal account
    These actions are against Lake Babine Nation and Indigenous Services Canada’s Social Media & Ethical Behavior Policies.

Eligibility & Third-Party Policy

Third-party requests are NOT accepted.

  • LBN Members Ages 16+ must contact Membership directly.
  • For members Ages 15 & Under or Dependent Adults, a Parent or Legal Guardian must contact Membership and provide required documentation.

Services NOT Provided by LBN Membership

Please consult trained professionals for the following services:

  • Canadian Passport Applications or Photos

  • Canadian Firearms (PAL) Photos

  • Security Worker License Photos

  • Indian Residential School settlement applications

  • First Nations Drinking Water Settlement applications

  • First Nations Child in Care Settlement applications

UPDATES

Important Information: SCIS Status Card Applications & Authorization Forms

Haven’t Received Your SCIS Status Card?

If you applied for the Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) and have not received it within the 14–16 week processing period, you must contact the Gatineau office directly.
The processing unit needs to hear from you, and you must be prepared to state your application date. ⚠️ Waiting beyond the 14–16 week timeframe without contacting the office may result in you having to reapply.

Contact the Gatineau Office:
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Phone: 1 (800) 567-9604
Email (most effective): infopubs@sac-isc.gc.ca

Birth Registration

Required Documents

Bring the following to your appointment with the IRA:

  • Completed Birth Registration Application

  • Original Birth Certificate (Note: The original certificate is no longer sent to the BC Regional Office. Lake Babine Nation’s IRA is CIDO-Certified (Certificate Integrity Document Officer) and can certify a copy of the original. However, the original must still be brought to the appointment.)

  • Parent/Legal Guardian’s VALID photo ID (front and back, verified by IRA or Guarantor)

If also applying for an SCIS Card:

  • Provide two (2) passport-style photos

  • Reverse of one photo signed by IRA or Guarantor

  • Guarantor Declaration Form, if IRA is not completing application

  • Include any additional supporting documents, if applicable

Valid Photo ID for Parent/Legal Guardian, acceptable photo ID:

  • Provincial ID

  • Provincial Driver’s Licence

  • Provincial Health Card

  • Canadian Passport

Expired ID, photocopies, or digital images of ID not accepted.
Ages 16+ must apply on their own.
For Ages 15 & under or Dependent Adults, the Parent or Legal Guardian (with legal documentation if required) must apply.

Processing Time

Processing time ranges from 6 months to 2 years, depending on complexity:

  • Standard applications → sent to Vancouver Regional Office

  • Complex applications → sent to Gatineau, QC or Ottawa, ON

Urgent Care Registration? You may submit a signed and stamped letter from a doctor or dentist explaining the urgency for registration. This may help prioritize the application.

Updates or Inquiries

Moved? Changed information? Need a status update?

Contact the National Band Lists Program with your application date:
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Phone: 1 (800) 567-9604
Email: infopubs@sac-isc.gc.ca (most effective)

Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) 

Acceptable Photo Identification (ID) for SCIS Application

You must present one of the following valid pieces of government-issued photo ID:

  • Provincial ID (Interim paper accepted)
  • Provincial Driver’s Licence (Interim paper accepted)
  • Provincial Health Card (Interim paper accepted)
  • Canadian Passport
    Expired ID, photos of ID on a cellphone, and photocopies are NOT accepted.

Who Can Apply

  • Ages 16+ must apply on their own.

  • Ages 15 & under or Dependent Adults must have their parent/legal guardian apply on their behalf.

SCIS Application Requirements

  • Completed SCIS Application

  • Copy of any applicable supporting documents

  • Photo Options:

    • Use of the SCIS photo app

    • Guarantor or Indian Registration Administrator (IRA) must be present

    • Guarantor Declaration Form is required if an IRA is not completing the application

SCIS Photo App information

Indigenous Services Canada is proud to announce the launch of a new photo app designed to simplify the application process for a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS). The photo app lets applicants take a photo with a smartphone and submit it online as part of their SCIS application.

Available as a free download from Google Play and App Store, the new app will allow applicants to capture their own, eliminating the cost of a photographer and making the application process more accessible and convenient to First Nations people and communities across the country.

The SCIS Photo App will allow the department to receive photos transmitted straight from smartphones into a secure database exclusively for SCIS applications. The photos can then be easily matched to the completed application form. All information provided through the app is encrypted, and collection and use of personal information is in accordance with the Privacy Act.

Processing Timeline

Once an IRA has completed the application and verified accuracy, it is mailed to the National SCIS Processing Unit in Gatineau, QC.

  • Processing Time (after received in Gatineau): 12–16 weeks

  • SCIS Expiry:

    • Ages 16+ → Valid for 10 years

    • Ages 15 & Under → Valid for 5 years

Change of Information or Application Update

If you’ve moved, had changes to your information, or want to check the status of your application, contact the National SCIS Processing Unit:

Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Phone: 1 (800) 567-9604
Email: infopubs@sac-isc.gc.ca (most effective)

NOTE: If you have not received your SCIS within 14–16 weeks (up to one year), you must reapply.

Please contact Membership if your wait exceeds this timeframe.

There is absolutely no way to expedite SCIS applications — no exceptions.

PRINCE GEORGE:

Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George now provides SCIS status card and Birth Registration services with Trina Nooski from 8:00am – 3:30pm Monday to Friday. To book an appointment and have questions, call (250) 564-9794.  (information from the AHS PG Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AHSofPG)

VANCOUVER:

Members can stop in at the Vancouver Regional Office (600 – 1138 Melville St) for SCIS status cards, Birth Registrations, or other Life Events (without having to send your original required documents)

DID YOU KNOW?

The difference with SCIS done at LBN and Vancouver:

  • LBN mails applications to Gatineau QC for processing. Applications are mailed out within the week after checked for accuracy. It takes six (6) days to get to Gatineau QC from LBN. Application goes through mail room then to processing which is why it takes 12-16 weeks or more, depending on Gatineau’s backlog.
  • Vancouver utilizes the Digital Application System (DAS) which uploads applications directly to Gatineau QC which is why it’s less time for Vancouver applications to be processed.

Life Events

Record a Marriage or Divorce

To record a marriage:

  • Original Marriage Certificate (if new surname is not yet on valid ID)

  • Original Declaration of Surname on Marriage or a written statement

  • Valid Photo ID showing new surname

    • Expired ID or photocopies/digital copies are not accepted

To record a divorce:

  • Copy of Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute

  • Original Request to Record Divorce form

Amendments to Personal Information

To amend existing information, submit:

  • Original Request to Amend Individual Information form

  • Original supporting documents for any of the following updates:

    • Legal Change of Name

    • Sex/Gender

    • Birthdate

    • Reverting to a previous or maiden name

    • Alias Name

    • Province/Residence

    • Parental Information

    • Category Change (Status Category Amendments)

Did You Know?

Marriage, Amendments, and Divorce updates can be completed at the same time as your SCIS card application, if all required original documents are submitted with the application.

Report a Death

To report a death, provide a copy of acceptable documentation:

  • Vital Statistics Death Record or Extract

  • Church Death Certificate

  • Coroner’s Report

  • Burial Permit or Interment Certificate

  • If a death is not properly recorded, the individual will remain on the Band List.

Band Transfers by BCR (Band Council Resolution)

Transfers TO Lake Babine Nation:
Not currently accepting band transfers into Lake Babine Nation.
A new process is being developed as per the March 2025 Band Council Resolution.

Transfers OUT of Lake Babine Nation:
Contact the band you wish to transfer to and follow their transfer process.
It is the receiving band’s IRA who must submit the transfer documents to the BC Regional Office as per their own procedures.

Other important information

Lost All Your ID? Start Here

If you’ve lost all your identification, the first step is to order a Birth Certificate:

Order Online: https://ecos.vs.gov.bc.ca/
Or visit your nearest BC Services Office
Fee: $27.00 (You are responsible for this fee)
Once your Birth Certificate arrives, you can begin applying for other forms of ID.

Consent to Release Information – For Service Providers

Service providers assisting a member must provide one of the following before collecting any information:

  • A signed and dated Consent to Release Information form, OR

  • Written email consent from the member

  • Verbal consent may be accepted if:

    • The member is present during the call

    • The member answers security questions

    • The member verbally authorizes release of information

Recently Registered or Transferred?

Be sure to enroll with First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) to access health benefits.

FNHA Benefits Enrollment Line: 1 (855) 550-5454
Website: www.fnha.ca

This includes:

  • Prescription drug coverage

  • Dental and vision benefits

  • Enrolling newly registered children or dependents

Wills & BC Estates General Information for On-reserve Individuals

If you are on-reserve and planning to write a will or need information about estate matters, the following resources are available: