How do I apply for a SIN, replace my card or amend my SIN record (e.g., a name change)?

To apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN), please visit a Service Canada Centre with your original primary documents.

Special measures are in place to accommodate individuals who cannot apply in-person to a Service Canada Centre. These include submitting applications via Service Canada outreach services or requesting a third party to submit the application in-person on their behalf. Individuals living in remote areas can contact Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218 (select option #3) to obtain information on how to submit an application by mail.

Service Canada strongly encourages individuals to apply in-person. By doing so, if your application is in order, you can obtain your SIN in less than 15 minutes and do not need to part with your original identity documents.

Note: Fee

If you need to replace your SIN card, a $10 fee may be required.

Applying at a Service Canada Centre

Service Canada has made it easy for you to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), to replace your SIN, or to amend your SIN record.

Take advantage of our improved service... it's fast, simple, and secure! Simply gather the documents you need and take them to your nearest Service Canada Centre. If your application and documents are in order, you will get a Social Insurance Number in one visit and receive your card within 10 business days.

Through the Newborn Registration Service

If you are a parent, you may be eligible to apply for the SIN for your newborn. Service Canada’s Newborn Registration Service is an integrated birth registration and SIN application process. This service is available in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Applying From Outside Canada

To apply for or replace your SIN, or to amend your SIN record from outside of Canada:

Service Canada
Social Insurance Registration Office
PO Box 7000
Bathurst NB  E2A 4T1

If you send your application by registered mail, we will return your documents and SIN card in the same way. We are not responsible for documents lost in the mail.

If your SIN application meets the requirements, you will receive your SIN card by mail within 20 business days from the date we receive the application.