Identification

Whether you are submitting a Claim for yourself, for a Class Member who has passed away, or helping someone else, a copy of government-issued identification (ID) is required.

Why is identification needed?

Providing identification helps the Claims Administrator confirm identity, avoid delays, and make sure any approved payment is issued safely to the right person or Estate.

You can submit a Claim even if you do not have every document. Claims Helpers can support you if identification is missing or difficult to obtain.

Important Reminder

Send clear copies only of identification and documents. Do not send original documents.

Accepted Identification

You are asked to include a clear copy of government-issued identification (ID). Photo ID is preferred if you have it.

The identification should match the information on your Claim Form. If the name on your ID is different from the name you used as a child or while admitted to a Hospital, you can still submit your Claim and list other names you have used.

Accepted types of ID include:

Driver’s licence
Provincial or territorial photo ID card
Passport
Birth certificate
Health card
Old Age Security (OAS) card
Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)
Official Military ID
NEXUS card
Age-of-majority or “Bring Your ID (BYID)” card

U.S. state ID card
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
Indian Status Card
Certificate of Indian Status (CIS)
Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS)
Inuit Land Claim Beneficiary Card, Land Claim Beneficiary Card, including NTI Enrolment Card
Métis Citizenship Card
Provincial Services Card

Prison or correctional ID
First Nations or Indigenous government–issued ID or Certificate of Tribal Membership
Social Insurance Card
Statement of Live Birth (must have a raised red seal and be signed by the registrar)
Death certificate issued by a province or territory
Funeral home statement of death or internment

Identification that cannot be accepted

Some types of identification cannot be used for the Claim Form. These include:

Library cards or municipal cards
Membership cards from First Nation or Indigenous organizations that are not issued by the federal government

If you are unsure whether your identification is accepted, a Claims Helper can help you review your options.

If you do not have identification

Claims Helpers can explain the identification requirements, help you understand what options may be available, and connect you with resources that may help you obtain ID.

Claims Helpers cannot get ID for you, but they can support you in understanding where to get the right documents.

If you’re submitting a Claim for someone else

If you are submitting a Claim for someone who has passed away, or acting as a Personal Representative, you will be asked to provide copies of identification and documents that show your authority to represent the Claimant.

If you do not have documentation that proves your relationship to the Claimant that has passed away, you can provide a Swon Declaration that must be signed by a Guarantor.

The Guarantor may be:

Notary Public
Commissioner of Oaths (including Northern Villages’ Secretary Treasurer)
Chief, Councillor, or Inuit Community Leader
Lawyer
Doctor or physician
Accountant (CPA)
Police officer
Other accepted professionals listed in the Claim Form

Learn more about what’s required for an Estate Claim

Learn more about what’s required for a Claim as a Personal Representative

Claims Helpers can help explain which documents apply to your situation.