Documents & Records

Chinese Immigration Certificates

Legislative controls on Chinese immigration to Canada resulted in a very cumbersome system overseen by the Chief Controller of Chinese Immigration in Ottawa. The system generated a number of certificates, which were issued to Chinese people. These certificates provide very useful genealogical information, and can be a link to Immigration Records.

C.I.4

Issued to Chinese immigrants at all Customs ports.
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C.I.5

The main identifying document ("head tax certificate") issued to Chinese immigrants who paid the head tax.
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C.I.6

Issued in some circumstances to Chinese persons who had entered Canada prior to 1885.
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C.I.9

Issued to persons of Chinese ancestry leaving Canada temporarily.
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C.I.9A

Issued to crewmen of Canadian and foreign ships docking at Canadian ports.
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C.I.28

Issued to persons who had lost their C.I.5 or C.I.36 certificates.
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C.I.30

Issued to persons entering Canada who were exempt from paying the head tax.
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C.I.36

This was issued to replace pre-1912 head tax certificates.
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C.I.44

The C.I.44 was issued to certify that an individual had registered under Section 18 of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923.
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C.I.45

Issued as proof of registration under the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 to those who did not have a main identifying document.
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C.I.46

An identity card issued to Chinese crew members employed on ships travelling between Canadian and U.S. ports.
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Other Certificates

A number of other certificates and forms were used by federal Chinese immigration authorities.
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Top of page: Detail from VPL 8584