A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is one of the most vital parts of personal information you can have in Canada. Maybe you’ve never realized how important it is, but it’s definitely something you want to protect.
In order to legally work in every Canadian province, receive the benefits offered by various government programs, and file income taxes each year (usually), you need a SIN number. There are other reasons you need one, but these are the most important.
But even though all Canadians require a SIN for work and other reasons, many don’t understand why it’s necessary or why protecting this number is so important.
Let’s take a look at what your SIN really is and how it affects the daily lives of so many Canadians.
What is a Social Insurance Number?
A Canadian SIN is a form of personal identification necessary for all aspects regarding employment and government information. It’s a unique number – every single person’s number is specific to them – and will always stay the same.
Even if you choose to change your name in the future, your SIN will remain with you. You need a SIN to:
- work,
- pay taxes,
- invest,
- contribute to a pension plan, and
- access government programs.
History of SINs in Canada
To help manage the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and other employment insurance programs, the SIN was established by the federal government in 1964.
Shortly after, in 1967, the government began using the SIN for tax purposes. Since then, it’s expanded into what you know today.
SIN equivalents in other countries
Most countries have a way of identifying their citizens for tax purposes and social benefits. This is usually done through a specific identification number.
In Canada, this is the SIN, but it goes by many different names in other countries. No matter the name or geographical area, it serves mostly the same purpose.
| Country | Alternate SIN name | Main differences |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Social Security Number (SSN) | * No laws preventing businesses from asking for your SSN for ID or any other purpose. |
| England | National Insurance Number (NI or NIN) | * Citizens receive it automatically at age 16. * Also works as a reference number for the National Health Service. |
| Australia | Tax File Number (TFN) | * Optional. * You pay more tax if you don’t have a TFN. |
| India | Aadhaar | * Mandatory for residents of India after staying for 182 days. * Collects biometric data. |
| Japan | Individual Number or My Number | * Foreign residents may also receive an Individual Number. * Even if a foreign resident leaves the country and returns later, their number will remain the same. |
How to find your Social Insurance Number online
What happens if you can’t find your SIN card and/or you’ve forgotten the number?
The easiest way to find it is to look at your income tax return. You can log into your CRA My Account and likely find it there.
But if you can’t do this, you’ll need to apply and submit all the required information. You can request your SIN online, but not by phone. Once your application is complete, you should expect confirmation of your SIN in the mail within 15 days.
Did you know you can find lots of information on your My Account? Find out how to check for uncashed cheques.
Why do you need a Social Insurance Number?
Whether you’re a newcomer to Canada, a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a temporary resident, having a Social Insurance Number is mandatory for working in Canada. And you’ll also need it to:
- collect government benefits,
- invest with a registered account,
- pay taxes,
- contribute to pension plans, and
- use government services.
Without a SIN, employers will be unable to pay you. They need this info in order to send information about your income, deductions, and any withheld amounts for government benefits or services to the government itself.
Why you need a SIN for taxes
Yes, a Social Insurance Number is needed for filing taxes. Although not its original purpose, this is now a primary function of a SIN.
When you earn money, your income is tracked with your SIN by your employer. This allows the government to determine how much tax you need to pay. Your recorded income also helps establish your RRSP contribution limit for the following year.
Why you need a SIN to receive government benefits
Since all government benefits are either paid according to certain income levels or need to be accounted for on your taxes, you must have a Social Insurance Number to receive them.
You won’t receive Employment Insurance or Child Tax Benefits without it, simply because the government needs to confirm your income amounts and terms of employment before extending such benefits.
Your RRSP contribution room is calculated from your reported taxable income, and this, in turn, is tied to your SIN. Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) are also connected to your Social Insurance Number – the only contributions that count for TFSAs are those made under a valid SIN.
Other situations
Other than the situations mentioned above, your SIN is often required in other areas of personal finances.
Banking
For instance, to apply for federal or provincial student loans, you’ll need to include your Social Insurance Number on the forms. In these situations, your SIN is used for identification purposes, as well as to track the amounts you can claim at tax time.
Usually, when opening a new bank account or credit card, the financial institution may ask for your SIN – but, depending on the circumstances, you aren’t legally required to give it.
If you’re opening an account that’ll earn interest for tax purposes (an RRSP, etc.), your Social Insurance Number is required, since the financial institution will have to report your annual interest earned to the CRA.
But in any other situation, you’re not required to provide your SIN to the financial institution.
Credit cards and loans
Even when applying for a loan or credit card, you don’t have to give this information. Be wary of any institutions that claim they need this info in order to check your credit – there are other ways.
Situations may occur where the institution in question may legitimately ask for your Social Insurance Number. Here are a few examples:
- They have trouble finding your credit file.
- You have a common name.
- Your credit file is too thin (from a lack of reporting, not enough credit accounts, closed accounts, etc).
In such cases, if you choose to provide them with your SIN, that’s fine, the choice is yours. But just because they ask for it, doesn’t mean you’re obligated to provide it.
How to apply for Social Insurance Number
There are several methods you can take to apply for a SIN. You can try:
- applying and submitting the forms online,
- sending the application by mail, or
- submitting the application in person at your local Service Canada office.
Once you’ve chosen an application method, there are a few steps that are required.
Step 1: Determine your eligibility
If you fall into one of these categories, you’re eligible to apply for a Social Insurance Number in Canada:
- Canadian citizens (all ages),
- permanent residents, and
- temporary residents.
Individuals of any age can apply for a SIN. If you’re a minor, you may need someone to help with your application. Any kids in Canada who are 12 years of age or older and can provide all required documents can apply for a Social Insurance Number on their own, and parents or legal guardians of children under the age of majority – or for adults in their care – can apply for them.
If you have a newborn who’s under a year old but you haven’t yet registered their birth with your province, you can apply for their SIN through the Newborn Registration Service in your province. The only area of Canada where this option isn’t available is in the territories.
In other situations, you can apply for a Social Insurance Number for a newborn through your provincial website – here. If you live in the territories, you can apply directly through Service Canada – here.
Step 2: Complete the Social Insurance Number application
When applying for a Social Insurance Number, you have the option to fill out the forms and submit them online, by mail, or in person.
If you choose to apply online you’ll need to submit clear, legible digital copies. And you’ll need primary, secondary, supporting, and proof of address documents for submitting applications in person. For applications submitted in person or by mail, all included documents must be originals.
Primary identity documents
In the table below, you’ll find the types of primary identity documents you’ll need.
| Type of resident | Required primary identity document(s) |
|---|---|
| Canadian citizens | * Birth certificate * Certificate of Canadian citizenship * Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad |
| Permanent residents | * Permanent resident card * Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) * Record of Landing * Verification of Landing * Status Verification |
| Temporary residents | * Study permit * Work permit * Visitor record authorizing work * Diplomatic identity card with a work authorization |
| Living outside of Canada with no legal status in Canada | * Birth certificate (translated to English or French if necessary) * Statement of contribution or letter (needed to receive government benefits) |
Secondary documents
A secondary document is an official proof-of-identity document. For your application, all such documents must be either a foreign passport or an ID issued by the Canadian government.
Canadian identification can include:
- passports,
- identity cards, or
- other government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license).
All secondary documents must include the applicant’s legal name and date of birth.
Supporting documents
Supporting documents are ones that state your name as it’s commonly used. This is to be used in case any of the other required documents include a name that’s different from the one you’re using on the Social Insurance Number application.
Acceptable forms of supporting documents include the following:
- Marriage certificates
- Certificates of divorce, divorce decrees, or decrees absolute
- Adoption orders (certified by a Canadian court)
- Legal change of name certificate or court order document
- Notarial Certificates/notarial adoption certificates
- Requests to Amend Record of Landing
Proof of address
A proof of address document is necessary to confirm the address you’re using on the SIN application.
There are a few details necessary for these documents to be accepted.
First, it must be a document or signed attestation letter issued by:
- a company,
- institution,
- organization,
- government,
- landlord, or
- employer.
It must also contain the same name found on your primary, secondary, or supporting documents.
For those applying on someone else’s behalf, it must contain the name of the parent or legal guardian as it appears on the primary, secondary, or supporting documentation.
Plus, your address must be clearly displayed and match the address used elsewhere in the application forms. And for those applying on behalf of someone else, the parent or legal guardian’s address must match in the same manner.
Step 3: Keep your SIN safe
Keeping your SIN safe is vital – it might be the single most important piece of personal information that you want to protect.
If your Social Insurance Number falls into the wrong hands, you could:
- become a victim of identity theft,
- experience an extreme violation of privacy,
- lose government benefits, tax refunds, or bank credits,
- have your credit rating ruined, or
- be forced to pay tax on income you didn’t receive (if someone uses your SIN to work illegally).
Since the number is unique to you, reissuing a Social Insurance Number is quite a hassle – it’s certainly more difficult than you want it to be. And it’s not meant to be an easy process as the government wants to encourage you to be careful with this personal information.
We’ll talk a bit more about this later.
Step 4: Use your SIN as needed
Once you have a SIN, you can use it for the following:
- to legally work in Canada,
- to pay taxes,
- to collect government benefits such as CPP, Child Tax Benefit, and EI,
- to invest with TFSAs and RRSPs, and
- to open financial accounts (not always required).
What do the numbers mean?
Once you have your Social Insurance Number, you may wonder if there’s any significance to the numerals themselves.
It’s mostly just the first digit that has meaning.
| First digit of SIN | Designation |
|---|---|
| 0 | * N/A |
| 1 | * Residents of Atlantic Canada (NB, NL, NS, PE) * Overseas residents |
| 2 | * Quebec residents |
| 3 | * Quebec residents |
| 4 | * Ontario residents |
| 5 | * Ontario residents |
| 6 | * Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwest Territories |
| 7 | * British Columbia and Yukon residents |
| 8 | * N/A |
| 9 | * Refugees, foreign workers, and foreign students |
The first digit of your Social Insurance Number depends on which region you’re in when you apply for your SIN. If you have a temporary SIN and become a permanent resident, you’ll then be issued a new permanent SIN that begins with the appropriate digit for your area.
Protecting your Social Insurance Number
As previously mentioned, protecting your Social Insurance Number is hugely important. If you misplace your SIN, you’ll be faced with quite a hassle when trying to get a new one – nevermind the fear and inconvenience associated with the possibilities of identity fraud.
If you do lose your SIN, make sure to check with both of Canada’s credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion) to ensure that your identity hasn’t been used for any fraudulent activity. If you find that your lost SIN has been used fraudulently, make sure to immediately notify the police and report the situation to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Don’t carry your SIN with you
Do not carry your SIN with you. By carrying it in your wallet or purse, you make it more likely it will be lost or stolen.
For this reason, as of March 31, 2014, the Government of Canada stopped issuing SIN cards. If you have a SIN card or paper with your issued number on it, make sure to keep it safe.
To ensure you’re the only one who can access your Social Insurance Number, you can use a password manager app to store it on your phone or computer (most password managers will store more than just passwords).
If you’re not sure where to start, check out the full review of 1Password, one of your best options in Canada:
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- Form autofill
- Security breach alerts
- Phishing and keylogger protection
Don’t use your Social Insurance Number card as ID
You aren’t legally required to use your SIN as identification and, therefore, you should avoid using it for rental agreements, credit card applications, or any similar forms.
As mentioned, while the option of using it for a credit check during a credit card application is yours, it’s not a necessity.
Don’t give your SIN out over the phone or email
Most phone lines aren’t protected, and there are more and more fraudulent phone calls occurring these days. Therefore, it’s wise to refrain from mentioning your Social Insurance Number during a phone call.
The only time to consider bending this rule is if it’s a phone call that you initiated (so you know it’s legitimate) and your SIN is legally required.
And never give your SIN over email. This opens you up to far too many scams and fraudulent activity.
Shred paper records that mention your Social Insurance Number
Paperwork that contains your SIN should not be recycled or thrown out with the trash. Identity theft fairly frequently begins this way, so it’s best to protect yourself and avoid doing this.
Whether it’s your initial Social Insurance Number issue papers, tax paperwork, or anything else, be sure to shred all documents with your SIN on them (once you no longer need them).
Update info immediately after a name or citizenship change
If your citizenship or name changes, make sure to update your information with the Government of Canada as soon as possible. Failure to update them in a timely manner may affect your government benefits.
In the short term this could affect any Child Tax Benefits or Employment Insurance (EI) you’ve been receiving.
Long-term consequences may mean not receiving the appropriate Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments in retirement as your income and payments won’t be accurately filed.
What about you?
Your Social Insurance Number provides you the opportunity to work, invest, and collect government benefits in Canada.
How has your SIN been beneficial for you? Please let us know in the comments section below.
FAQ
What is a social insurance number?
A Social Insurance Number is a set of numbers issued by the government that’s used for personal identification purposes. You are the only person in Canada with this specific number. You can read more about these numbers and their origins here.
How can I find my Social Insurance Number online?
If you don’t already have a SIN card (these were discontinued several years ago) or any of the initial issuing paperwork, you can check your income tax return or apply online to confirm your SIN.
Where can I get a Social Insurance Number application?
There are several ways for you to get a SIN. You can either apply online, send an application by mail, or drop off an application at a nearby Service Canada location. You can read more about these options here.
What does your Social Insurance Number tell about you?
A SIN is an identifier used by the government, mostly for details related to your employment and income. You need a SIN to work, pay taxes, invest, contribute to a pension plan, or access government programs. The first number of your SIN identifies where you were in Canada when you applied. It also reflects whether or not you’re a temporary worker.
What happens if my SIN number is stolen?
Hopefully you never have to worry about losing your SIN, but if the unthinkable happens, be sure to report to the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center. You should also contact Equifax and TransUnion to ensure you haven’t been the victim of identity theft or any fraudulent activity. You can find guidelines for protecting your SIN here.
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