What identity documents do I need to provide?

You must submit an original birth certificate with your Common Experience Payment application, which we will return to you once we have verified your identity.

If you do not have an original birth certificate, you may provide two of the following secondary identity documents, one of which must have a photograph:

  • Certificate of Indian Status (issued by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada)
  • provincial/territorial driver's licence
  • provincial/territorial health card
  • Canadian passport

If you do not have any of the required identity documents, please contact us toll-free at 1-866-699-1742 for help (TTY: 1-800-926-9105).

Please note that we can only accept original birth certificates. All original identity documents will be returned by mail. If you do not wish to provide original secondary identity documents, we will accept certified copies. We will keep these certified copies on file.

Please do not provide additional documents other than what is requested on the application form. We will contact you by phone or mail if we need more information.