Supporting documents

Individuals need to provide proof of birth for their children when applying for the GST/HST credit and the Canada Carbon Rebate or the Canada child benefit for the first time.

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

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.

If your documents are in a language other than English or French, we need a copy of the original documents along with an English or French translation.

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.

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:

Examples of a third party:

Residency

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

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

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:

Note: If you are not a Canadian citizen and are an individual who is registered, or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act, you must attach proof of registration with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.

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:

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:

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:

Acceptable documents issued by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada

Page details

Date modified: