Social Insurance Number – Apply

4. How to apply

Where to find your SIN

If you don’t remember your SIN, there may be ways you can find it yourself. You can find your SIN in the following places:

• on your income tax return
• on your tax slips (T4s)
• on your record of employment
• RRSP contribution, or
• you can request your SIN from your employer

Applying for a SIN

You can apply online or by mail to:

• apply for a SIN
• obtain a confirmation of your SIN, and/or
• to amend your SIN record

If you are unable to apply online or by mail you have the option to apply in person.

If you apply for a SIN online and your application meets the requirements, you will receive a letter with your SIN by mail within 10 business days from the date the application is received. If more than 15 business days have passed and you would like to find out the status of your application, contact the SIN program.

If you apply for a SIN by mail and your application meets the requirements, you will receive a letter with your SIN by mail within 20 business days from the date the application is received. If more that 25 business days have passed and you would like to find out the status of your application, contact the SIN program.

There is no fee to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

We recommend that those applying carefully review the following instructions.

Apply online

Please consult the What you need before you apply page to ensure you have all the required documents ready before you apply.

To protect your personal information, never leave your computer or device unattended while filling out a SIN application. Always close your browser if you step away from your computer or device.

Apply by mail

Please consult the What you need before you apply page to ensure you have all the required documents ready before you apply.

Send your completed application form and original documents (photocopies are not accepted) to:

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

If you send your application by registered mail, we will return your document(s) in the same way. Service Canada is not responsible for documents lost in the mail.

Once you have submitted your application, legislation does not prevent you from working in insurable employment before you receive your SIN.

Apply in person

Do not come to a Service Canada Centre if you:

• Have any COVID-19 related symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing
• Have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
• Are required to self-isolate or quarantine by public health authorities

Please follow public health advice. Anyone not following public health advice trying to enter the office may be reported to local public health authorities. For more information, visit Canada.ca/covid19.

Ask us to help you with the following programs by using eServiceCanada service request form:

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
• immediate request for a Passport Service
• Veterans Affairs Canada Services

We will call you back within 2 business days.