Chapter CP 3 - Establishing Applicant's Identity

Section 1 - Acceptance of identity documents

Related Topic, see section on name; change in name

1.1 This section is about

• verifying the identity of applicants for a grant retention, renunciation, resumption of citizenship, and search of records
• use of the Citizenship Registration System (CRS) with identity documents
• acceptable original and certified documents

1.2 Authorities

1.3 Policy

There is no need to verify the originals of identity documents for every application.

Verification is necessary if there is any doubt about the applicant's identity.

1.4 Acceptable documents to show identity

Applicants must be able to prove that they are who they say they are.

Among the documents required for an application, they must provide at least two other documents to establish Identity.

It is recommend that at least one document have a photograph of the applicant.

Use discretion with pre-school-age children.

The following are some, but not all, of the documents that can be used to establish identity. This is not a complete list, and it is not in order of priority:

• age of majority card
• blood donor's card
• Certificate of Indian Status card
• community college or CEGEP diploma
• credit card
• driver 's license
• federal or provincial election enumeration record
• identification card issued by a hospital
• income tax return
• insurance policy (life, auto, home, business)
• invoice, statement, or bill addressed to an individual
• membership card for a professional group, a trade group, a union, an association, theatre company, etc.
• motor vehicle ownership
• municipal tax, utilities (gas, electricity, water) bill
• passport
• provincial health insurance identification card
• school records
• senior citizen's card
• Social Insurance card
• telephone bill
• travel document
• university degree
• bank card

1.5 True, certified copy acceptable

A true certified copy of a document is acceptable for determining whether or not the content and the nature of the document is adequate. CPC Sydney, local offices, Case Management Branch, judges and the Registrar have the right to request original documents for audit purposes or where the validity of the document is in question.

1.6 When to accept photocopies

Accept photocopies that are not certified true copies only for:

• grant applicants under section 5(1) who will be seen during the application process
• grant applicants under section 5(2)(a) who are older than 14 years who will be seen during the application process
• replacement proof applications

When in doubt, do not accept photocopies.

1.7 Grant applicants and Quebec Act of Civil Status

The Quebec Civil Code says that an act of civil status made outside Canada that relates to a person living in Quebec can be inserted in the Quebec register of civil status. Accept the Quebec Superior Court's document as valid.

Related Topics See the section on names