Indian Register
| Secure Certificate of Indian Status | |
|---|---|
Sample of a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (often called a "Indian Status Card") | |
| Type | Personal identification document |
| Issued by | Indigenous Services Canada |
| Purpose | Identification Travel document |
| Valid in | Canada |
| Expiration | 5 years (child) 10 years (adult) |
| Cost | $0 |
The Indian Register is the official record of people registered under the Indian Act in Canada, called status Indians or registered Indians. Indigenous people of Canada registered under the Indian Act have rights and benefits that are not granted to non-status Indians. Benefits include the granting of reserves and of rights associated with them, an extended hunting season, easier access to firearms, an exemption from federal and provincial taxes on reserve, and more freedom in the management of gaming and tobacco franchises via less government interference and taxes.
Those registered are provided with an Indian Status Card upon request, which serves as proof of registration as a Status Indian, and facilitates access to certain benefits and cross-border travel with the United States.