Supporting documents

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may request documents to confirm:

• your marital status
• your residency
• your citizenship/immigration status
• you are the primary caregiver
• proof of birth for a child

This is to make sure that you get the right amount of benefits and credits. It's important that you reply and provide all the information requested by the CRA. If you don’t reply, your child and family benefits may stop. Supporting documents must apply to the entire period under review.

You will never need to contact an abusive spouse or common-law partner to provide information to the CRA. If you cannot get documents or information due to your current situation, we can help! Visit the Getting benefits and credits when in an abusive or violent situation page to find out about Sending information or documents to the CRA.

Marital status

To confirm your marital status, send us any of the following documents that show there has been a change to your situation for the period under review.

For example:
Document 1 – a rental agreement showing both your name and your spouse or common-law partner's name
Document 2 – a rental agreement dated after your separation, in your name only.

• mortgage papers or your property tax bill(s)
• lease agreement, rent receipts or letter from the landlord
• recent utility bill(s) (gas, electricity, cable, telephone)
• insurance policies
• registered retirement savings or employment pension plans
• health care coverage
• driver's license or vehicle registration (front and back)
• a complete and signed court order, decree, or separation agreement; the document must indicate different residential addresses for you and your former spouse or common-law partner
• any other document or information that shows a change to your marital status

If you cannot provide any of the above documents, send us letters from two different third parties who have personal knowledge of your situation for the period under review. The letters must include:

• the name and profession of the third party
• an attestation that they are personally aware that you did not reside with your former spouse or common-law partner during the period of separation
• their contact information, including address and telephone number
• their signature

Examples of a third party:

• employer
• landlord
• social worker
• school authority
• band council
• shelter or community support organization
• resettlement worker/sponsor
• insurance company
• member of clergy
• doctor or nurse
• lawyer or Quebec notary

Residency

To confirm that you are considered a resident of Canada for tax purposes, send us photocopies of any of the following documents that contain your full name, address and the date for each year being reviewed :

• certificate of residency issued by the CRA
• mortgage papers or your property tax bill(s)
• lease agreement, rent receipts or letter from the landlord
• recent utility bill(s) (gas, electricity, cable, telephone)
• bank and credit card statements
• insurance policies
• registered retirement savings or employment pension plans
• health care coverage
• driver’s license and vehicle registration (front and back)
• membership in professional, social or recreational organizations
• or other ties to Canada and abroad

Or, fill out and send one of the following forms:

• Form NR74 Determination of Residency Status (entering Canada)
• Form NR73 Determination of Residency Status (leaving Canada)

Citizenship/Immigration Status

To confirm that you (or your spouse or common-law partner) are a Canadian citizen or that you have been granted Canadian citizenship by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada, send us a photocopy of any of the following documents:

• Canadian birth certificate
• Canadian citizenship certificate
• Canadian passport
• hospital record of birth, or record of the physician, nurse, or midwife at the birth
• Indian status card

To confirm you (or your spouse or common-law partner) are a permanent resident, temporary resident or a protected person, send us a photocopy of any of the following documents:

• permanent resident card (front and back)
• confirmation of permanent residence
• visitor's record
• work permit (or employment authorization)
• study permit (or student authorization)
• temporary resident permit (other than one that states "does not confer status" or "does not confer temporary resident status")
• a positive notice of decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board granting convention refugee status
• a positive pre-removal risk assessment decision letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada granting protected person status

Primary caregiver

To confirm you are the person who is primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child when they lived with you, send us photocopies of any of the following documents to support the period under review:

• a letter from the daycare or school authorities that shows the child’s home address and contact information on file
• a signed and certified copy of the child's school registration or enrolment document, or an information or emergency contact sheet
• a letter from the school board or appropriate educational authority confirming that you have a home school arrangement and that shows the child’s home address and contact information on file
• a copy of the child's report card that shows the child’s home address and contact information on file
• a registration form or a receipt for an activity or club the child was enrolled in for the period you indicated
• a complete and signed court order, decree, or separation agreement; the document must explain the type of custody arrangement you have (for example, shared custody) and clearly show the living arrangements for the child
• a letter from a person in a position of authority stating that they have personal knowledge that the child lived with you for the period you indicated
• any other document that shows that the child lived with you during the period you indicated

Proof of birth

To confirm your child’s information, send us a photocopy of any of the following documents that indicates the child’s family name, given name and date of birth:

• birth certificate
• certified copy of birth registration
• hospital record of birth, or the record of the attending physician, nurse or midwife at the birth
• Indian status card
• passport

Acceptable documents issued by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada

• Canadian citizenship certificate
• permanent resident card
• confirmation of permanent residence
• notice of decision issued by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
• temporary resident permit