How to get a SIN as a teenager (and why you need it before your first shift)

Anyone 12 or older can apply for their own Social Insurance Number in Canada, for free, online at canada.ca or in person at a Service Canada Centre. You need one primary document proving your identity and status, such as a birth certificate or citizenship certificate, plus a second piece of ID. Parents or legal guardians can apply on behalf of a child instead. In person you leave with the number the same day.

What a SIN is and why your employer asks for it

A Social Insurance Number is a nine digit number issued by Service Canada that identifies you to the Canada Revenue Agency and to federal programs. Your employer needs it to put you on payroll, deduct income tax, Canada Pension Plan contributions and Employment Insurance premiums, and issue your T4 slip at tax time. Employers are expected to ask for your number within three days of your start date.

You keep the same number for life unless you are a temporary resident, whose numbers start with 9 and expire with their permit. You receive a confirmation letter rather than a card, and can view the number any time in My Service Canada Account.

Who can apply, and the rule for minors

Three groups can apply for a SIN: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents whose study or work permit allows them to work in Canada. Age works like this:

• 12 or older: you can apply on your own, without a parent present, online or in person.
• Under 12: a parent or legal guardian applies for you.
• Any age under the age of majority: a parent or legal guardian may still apply on your behalf, which is often the easiest route if you do not yet have a second piece of ID in your own name.

If you were born in Canada you may already have a SIN, because many parents apply for one shortly after birth to open an education savings plan. Ask before you start a new application.

Documents you need

Service Canada wants two things from every applicant: one primary document that proves who you are and your status in Canada, and one secondary document that confirms your name and date of birth. If your name differs between the two, you add a supporting document that explains the change.

Primary document

• Canadian citizens: your provincial or territorial birth certificate, or a certificate of Canadian citizenship.
• Permanent residents: your permanent resident card, or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence issued within the last year.
• Temporary residents: your study permit or work permit, which must say you may work or accept employment in Canada.

Secondary document

A Canadian passport, a provincial or territorial driver's licence or photo ID card, or another piece of Canadian government issued identification showing your legal name and date of birth. Health cards and school IDs are not on the accepted list.

If you are a teen with no second ID

Many 14 and 15 year olds have a birth certificate but no passport or provincial ID card. You have two options. Apply for a provincial photo ID card first, which most provinces issue to teenagers through their motor vehicle or service office, or have a parent or legal guardian apply for your SIN on your behalf with their own identification and your birth certificate. Check the required documents page linked under Sources for what a parent must bring.

Online versus in person versus mail

Online

The online application at canada.ca is the fastest route for most people. You fill in the form, upload clear digital copies of your documents and submit. Photograph each document flat, in good light, with all four corners visible. Your confirmation letter arrives by mail.

In person

Visit any Service Canada Centre with your original documents. An officer checks them, enters your application and gives you your SIN before you leave. This is the best option if you have a job offer and need the number immediately.

By mail

You can mail the completed application with your original documents to the Social Insurance Registration Office in Bathurst, New Brunswick. You are without your birth certificate while it travels, so most teenagers skip this route.

Protecting your SIN at your first job

Your SIN is private, and it is illegal for anyone else to use it. Give it to your employer's payroll or HR contact, not to a shift supervisor on a sticky note, and never type it into a text message or a job application form before you have actually been hired. A legitimate employer asks for it after the offer, when filling out your tax forms. A posting that demands it up front is a warning sign.

Memorize the number and keep the confirmation letter at home. You will need it again when you file your first tax return.

Timing it with your job search

Apply for your SIN before you start applying for jobs, not after you get an offer. The first job with no experience guide puts it at step two for that reason. While you wait for the letter, build a one page resume with the free Resume Builder and look at the live openings near your school on the Campus Atlas, which maps high schools, colleges and universities across Canada to youth jobs in their city. Check your province's rules in the minimum working age table as well, since having a SIN does not change the age you can legally start.

Browse live youth jobs on YouthBoard (free, wages shown on every listing).

Frequently asked questions

Can a 15 year old get a SIN on their own?

Yes. Anyone 12 or older can apply for their own Social Insurance Number without a parent, online or at a Service Canada Centre. You need a primary document such as a birth certificate or citizenship certificate plus a secondary piece of government ID. If you have no second ID, a parent or legal guardian can apply for you.

What documents does a teenager need for a SIN?

One primary document proving identity and status, such as a provincial birth certificate, certificate of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident card, or a study or work permit that allows work, plus one secondary document with your legal name and date of birth, such as a Canadian passport or provincial photo ID card.

How long does it take to get a SIN?

If you apply in person at a Service Canada Centre with your original documents, you receive your SIN during the visit. Online applications are processed and a confirmation letter is mailed to you; Service Canada publishes current processing times on the application page. Mail applications take longest because your originals travel to New Brunswick and back.

Do I need a SIN before applying for a job?

You do not need a SIN to apply or interview, but you need one to be paid. Employers are expected to request your number within three days of your start date to set up payroll and tax deductions. Applying before your job search means you can accept an offer without delay. Never put your SIN on an application form.

Sources

• Apply for a Social Insurance Number, Government of Canada
• Required documents for a SIN, Government of Canada
• Social Insurance Number overview, Government of Canada

Disclaimer

This article is general information for young job seekers, not legal, financial or employment advice. Minimum wages, minimum working ages, hours limits and program rules change, often on April 1 or October 1, and they differ by province and territory. Always confirm the current rules with your provincial or territorial government, the employment standards office, or the relevant federal department before relying on them. YouthBoard makes every effort to keep articles accurate, but they may contain errors or be out of date, and we accept no liability for any loss or decision made based on this content. If you spot something wrong, tell us and we will fix it.