CAVCO Personnel Number 

To be eligible for the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), a production must meet requirements related to Canadian key creative and producer-related personnel. To demonstrate that these individuals are Canadian, producers list in their CPTC application the CAVCO Personnel Numbers, also known as CAVCO ID’s, belonging to these individuals.

Who can receive a CAVCO Personnel Number?

To receive a CAVCO Personnel Number, an individual must be Canadian. The term "Canadian," in this context, refers to a person who is a Canadian citizen as defined in the Citizenship Act, or a permanent resident as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

How do I apply for a CAVCO Personnel Number?

The fastest way to obtain your CAVCO Personnel Number is to apply online. There is no cost to apply for a CAVCO Personnel Number.

Apply using your CAVCO Online account:

1. Use a Sign-In Partner or a GCKey to create your Canadian Heritage Account.
2. Once logged in to your Canadian Heritage Account, open your CAVCO Online account. If this is your first login, you must validate your email address by entering the PIN that we send you.
3. In the My Applications section of your CAVCO Online account, click the link to Request a CAVCO Personnel Number.
4. Enter the required information and attach a digital version of your proof of citizenship or permanent residency (see list of accepted documents below).
5. Submit your request.

If you experience technical issues with creating or accessing your CAVCO Online account, please try these troubleshooting steps:

• Clear your web browser cache and cookies
• Try using a different web browser
• Try using a different device
• Ensure your device is not connected to a VPN (virtual private network)
• Check your email’s spam or junk folder if you did not receive the validation PIN

If you require further assistance, please contact CAVCO.

Apply by mail:

1. Complete the CAVCO Personnel Number Application Form (01F17) [PDF 327 Kb]
2. Print and sign the application form.
3. Attach a legible copy of your proof of citizenship or permanent residency (see list of accepted documents below). DO NOT send original documents.
4. Mail the completed application form and a copy of your proof of citizenship or permanent residency documentation to CAVCO:
   Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office
   Canadian Heritage
   25 Eddy Street
   Gatineau, QC  J8X 4B5

DO NOT send applications or identity documentation by email.

CAVCO will review your application upon receiving your request.

• If your application is approved, you will be assigned a unique CAVCO Personnel Number that will be sent to you by email. You will then be able to provide this number to producers applying to the CPTC for productions in which you have a key creative or producer-related role.
• If your application is not approved, CAVCO will contact you by email to explain why the application for the CAVCO Personnel Number cannot be approved.

Note: If someone is facilitating the request for a CAVCO Personnel Number on your behalf (e.g., Agent, Production Company), they must apply by mail. You (or a parent or guardian) are required to sign the application form (Form 01F17) [PDF 319 Kb] to acknowledge that the information is correct and that you have read and understood the Privacy Notice. You should never allow someone to create a CAVCO Online account for you.

What documentation should I provide?

Any one of the following documents is accepted as proof of Canadian citizenship:

• Birth certificate from a Canadian province or territory (issued under the applicable Vital Statistics Act)
• Canadian Certificate of Registration of Birth abroad (issued prior to 1977)
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization (not commemorative issue)
• Certificate of Indian Status
• Registered Indian Record (must be certified)
• Canadian Passport

The following is the only document accepted as proof of permanent residency:

• Valid Permanent Resident Card (front and back)

How will my personal information be protected?

All information retained by CAVCO is protected and confidential. CAVCO does not provide the CAVCO Personnel Number to anyone other than the individual to whom it is issued. Production companies must obtain this number from the individual.

CAVCO’s Privacy Notice is available here.

Will my CAVCO Personnel Number expire?

A CAVCO Personnel Number issued to a Canadian citizen never expires. Canadian citizens do not need to resubmit copies of their proof of citizenship to CAVCO.

A CAVCO Personnel Number issued to a permanent resident expires when the permanent residency expires. It can be renewed by submitting a new Permanent Resident Card. Permanent Residents who become Canadian citizens must submit their Citizenship certificate to maintain a valid CAVCO Personnel Number.

A permanent resident’s CAVCO Personnel Number must be valid during the entire time they perform duties in relation to a given production. If your CAVCO Personnel Number identifies you as a permanent resident, you should be prepared to demonstrate to the producer, with a Permanent Resident Card, that you maintained valid permanent resident status during the time you provided services to their production. A CAVCO Personnel Number issued to a permanent resident has a zero in the fifth position (e.g., ABCD0654).

What should I do if I forget my CAVCO Personnel Number?

If you have forgotten your CAVCO Personnel Number, you can retrieve it by logging into your CAVCO Online account and visiting the My Applications page. If you applied by mail, you can contact CAVCO for further assistance.

Contact us

Address

Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office

Canadian Heritage

25 Eddy Street

Gatineau, QC  J8X 4B5

Email

bcpac-cavco@pch.gc.ca

Telephone

1-888-433-2200 (toll-free)

TTY

1-888-997-3123 (toll-free)