The Social Insurance Number (SIN) was created in 1964 to serve as a client account number in the administration of the Canada Pension Plan and Canada's varied employment insurance programs. In 1967, what is now Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) started using the SIN for tax reporting purposes.

Remember when a SIN used to be something that we applied for when we started our first job. Now, many parents are acquiring a SIN for their new baby as they have decided to begin saving for baby's future post-secondary education.

The procedure for getting a Social Insurance Number is as follows:

• You need to have a birth certificate for your baby
• To apply for a Social Insurance Number, you must complete an application form. You can obtain an application from your local office or download one .
• As a parent, you must apply on child's behalf, as they cannot sign the application on their own.
• You must also provide a primary document that proves your identity and status in Canada, as well as a supporting document, if the name on your primary document is different from the one you are currently using. It is important that documents are originals and that they are written in English or French.
• In order to have a certified true copy of the birth certificate, you need to have it photocopied and signed by a Notary Public, a Commissioner for Oaths, or an individual at the Human Resources and Development Offices.
• You can either drop off the application at one of the Human Resource Centre of Canada offices (offices listed at above link) or you can mail the application and a ORIGINAL COPY of the birth certificate to:

Social Insurance Registration
P.O. Box 7000
Bathurst, N.B.
E2A 4T1
(This address is on the front of the envelope)

• Your SIN card should be received by mail within three weeks from the date you submit your child's application, providing it meets all criteria.

Other Important Points:

• If you are submitting an application for a Social Insurance Number on behalf of another person, you must provide a valid photo identity document and an original letter signed by the applicant giving authorization to submit the application on his/her behalf.
• We encourage you to apply for your Social Insurance Number in person at one of  our offices . This process is faster and more convenient, as it does not require you to part with your valuable identity documents. You may also apply by mail.
• Your card should be received by mail within three weeks from the date you submit your application, providing it meets all criteria.

Applying for a SIN by telephone -New Brunswick only

If you reside in New Brunswick, you may be eligible to apply for a first-time Social Insurance Number card, a replacement card, or an amendment to your card and/or record by telephone .

You are eligible if:

• you were born in New Brunswick in 1916 or later
  
  or
• you were born outside Canada and have entered Canada after 1971

To apply by telephone, you must have on hand your New Brunswick birth certificate or your immigration document.

To obtain your birth certificate, contact the Vital Statistics Office in Fredericton at 1 506-453-2385 or visit their web site at http://www.gnb.ca/0051/contacts-e.asp

To obtain your Immigration document, look in your local telephone book in the Government of Canada listings, under Citizenship and Immigration Canada or visit their web site at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.html

A parent must apply on behalf of a child under the age of 12. Parents   may also apply on behalf of children under the age of 19.

A fee of $10 is required for a replacement card, payable by Visa or MasterCard. Have your credit card number with expiry date on hand when calling.

To change the name on your Social Insurance Number card by telephone, for reasons of marriage or legal change of name, the document must have been registered in New Brunswick in 1987 or later. For recent name changes, please allow 6 weeks before requesting the amendment to your Social Insurance Number card by telephone.

Dial toll-free 1-888-428-0888.
You will be asked to answer the first few questions from the automated system using your telephone keypad, then, an attendant will come on-line to assist you. As soon as your identity is validated, your application is processed. If you are applying for the first time, you will be informed of your number while you remain on the phone. Your card will arrive in the mail approximately one week later.