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 or 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 than 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 online application guide to ensure you have all the required documents ready before you apply.

What you need to apply online:

• the required original documents

Apply by mail

What you need to apply by mail:

• a completed SIN application form (if you are unable to print the application form, you can order the form by phone at 1-506-548-7961; long distance charges apply)
• the required original documents

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

Service Canada Centres are gradually reopening to help serve most Canadians within 100 km of where they live and to support clients who face barriers to accessing SIN online.

Find out if your local Service Canada Centre is open

To request an appointment, please use the online service request form.

What you need to apply in person:

• the required valid original documents

If everything is in order, you will get your SIN during your visit and you will not need to part with your documents.