How can I apply for someone else (e.g. on behalf of a child or an adult)?

There are specific situations where you may have to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for someone else. All documents must be original.

Select which best describes your situation:

Parents applying on behalf of a child

Children who are 12 years of age or older may apply for their own SIN. However, parents can also apply on behalf of a child under the age of majority in their province. Here's what you'll need if you are applying on behalf of your child:

At a Service Canada Centre

  • your SIN. If you were not issued a SIN, you must provide your original document(s);
  • the child's original document(s);
  • the $10 fee (if required).

If your application and document(s) are in order, you will get your child's SIN during your visit and receive the card by mail within 10 business days.

By Mail

Note: only personal cheques, bank drafts or money orders in Canadian funds (made to the Receiver General for Canada) are acceptable. Do not send cash in the mail.

Send your completed application and original documents to:

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 document(s) and SIN card in the same manner. We are not responsible for document(s) lost in the mail.

If the SIN application and document(s) are in order, you will receive the child's SIN card by mail within 20 business days from the date the application is received.

Children who are 12 years of age or older may apply for their own SIN. However, parents or legal guardians can also apply on behalf of a child under the age of majority in their province.

Legal Guardians applying on behalf of a child or an adult

Children who are 12 years of age or older may apply for their own SIN. Adults over the age of majority in their province must apply on their own. However, legal guardians can also apply. Here's what you'll need if you are applying on behalf of a child or an incapacitated/intellectually disabled adult in your care:

At a Service Canada Centre

  • your SIN. If you were not issued a SIN, you must provide your original document(s);
  • the original document(s) of the person for whom you are applying;
  • an original or a certified copy of a document that confirms your legal guardianship, issued by a provincial/territorial authority (in Quebec, a notarized Will is an acceptable document);
  • the $10 fee (if required).

If your application and document(s) are in order, you will get the SIN for the person for whom you are applying during your visit and receive the card by mail within 10 business days.

By Mail

  • a fully completed, signed and dated SIN application form;
  • your original document(s);
  • the original document(s) of the person for whom you are applying;
  • an original or a certified copy of a document that confirms your legal guardianship, issued by a provincial/territorial authority (in Quebec, a notarized Will is an acceptable document);
  • the $10 fee (if required).
Note: only personal cheques, bank drafts or money orders in Canadian funds (made to the Receiver General for Canada) are acceptable. Do not send cash in the mail.

Send your completed application and original documents to:

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 document(s) and SIN card in the same manner. We are not responsible for document(s) lost in the mail.

If the SIN application and document(s) are in order, you will receive the SIN card for the person for whom you are applying by mail within 20 business days from the date the application is received.

Legal Representatives applying on behalf of a child or an adult

Here's what you'll need if you are applying on behalf of a child or an adult:

At a Service Canada Centre

  • the original document(s) of the person for whom you are applying;
  • Letter of Authorization issued by a provincial/territorial agency, confirming you as the legal representative and the name of the person for whom you are applying (Note: for court appointed lawyers or family members, this letter is not required);
  • valid photo identification confirming your identity;
  • an original document or certified copy of a document that confirms your legal representation, issued by a provincial/territorial authority (in Quebec, a notarized Will is an acceptable document);
  • the $10 fee (if required).

If your application and documents are in order, you will get the SIN for the person for whom you are applying during your visit and receive the card by mail within 10 business days.

By Mail

  • a fully completed, signed and dated SIN application form ;
  • original document(s) of the person for whom you are applying;
  • Letter of Authorization issued by a provincial/territorial agency, confirming you as the legal representative and the name of the person for whom you are applying (Note: for court appointed lawyers or family members, this letter is not required);
  • valid photo identification confirming your identity;
  • an original document or certified copy of a document that confirms your legal representation issued by a provincial/territorial authority (in Quebec, a notarized Will is an acceptable document);
  • the $10 fee (if required).
Note: only personal cheques, bank drafts or money orders in Canadian funds (made to the Receiver General for Canada ) are acceptable. Do not send cash in the mail.

Send your completed application and original document(s) to:

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 manner. We are not responsible for documents lost in the mail.

If the SIN application and document(s) are in order, you will receive the SIN card for the person for whom you are applying by mail within 20 business days from the date the application is received.