Registering Your Baby

Registering your baby helps ensure access to services, benefits, and future documentation. While some steps are handled through the province or federal government, Tla’amin Nation can help guide families through the full process.

Step 1: Register the birth

Births are registered through the Province of British Columbia. Once registered, you will receive a birth certificate, which is required for later steps. The long form birth certificate costs $27 dollars from BC Vital Statistics, the long form is required for citizenship applications.

Step 2: Confirm parentage (if required)

In some situations, parentage must be confirmed using a statutory declaration, including:

When parents are not listed on the birth certificate
When parentage is unknown or unstated
When additional confirmation is required for citizenship or registration

Tla’amin Citizenship Registrar is a commissioner for affidavits and can stamp statutory declarations if the parent is a Tla’amin member or citizen. If the parent is not a member or citizen, they will need to hire a notary.

Parentage forms

Statutory Declaration – Biological Parents
Statutory Declaration – Unknown or Unstated Parentage
Tla’amin Statutory Parentage

Step 3: Apply for Tla’amin citizenship (if eligible)

If your child is eligible:

Complete the Application for Enrolment
Submit required supporting documents (One Photo ID, and Long form Birth Certificate)
The Citizenship Committee will determine whether the child is enrolled as a Citizen or Conditional Member

Schedule A – Application for Enrolment – PDF

Step 4: Apply for Indian Status (if eligible)

Parents may apply for Indian Status and a Status Card for their child by filling out the form below and submitting a completed guarantor form.

Forms

Registration & SCIS Application – Child or Dependent Adult

Timelines to keep in mind

It can take up to two years for ISC to process your application and render a decision
Citizenship applications are reviewed once complete; missing documents will delay review.
Appeals or new information following a decision must be submitted within 3 months of the decision date.
Applying early helps avoid delays when documents are needed later for school, travel, or benefits.
The Tla’amin Citizenship Registrar is a Certified Integrity Document Officer for ISC and can copy and stamp birth certificates so you don’t have to send away original certificates (this applies to Canadian birth certificates only). For American birth certificates the originals must go with application and will be mailed back to the applicant after processing.