How to get my child’s Social Insurance Number
There’s no time like the present. Let’s start building towards your child’s future now. We’ll get you ready to open an RESP before your baby comes, starting with getting their SIN.
Get ready, even before they arrive
You’ll need your child’s SIN (Social Insurance Number) in order to open an RESP and start applying for grants. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ll help you through it.
When should you apply for your child's SIN?
Recommended: Apply when you register their birth
After giving birth, some provinces, like Ontario and British Columbia, offer services that make getting your child’s SIN part of their birth registration. This means you don’t even need to leave the hospital to apply for your child’s SIN, it’s as simple as checking a box in the birth registration forms.
For example, Ontario offers a 5-in-1 newborn bundle, which allows you to register your child’s birth and request an Education Savings Referral, while also applying for a birth certificate, SIN, and Canada and Ontario-specific child benefits at the same time. Then in a few weeks, your child’s SIN will arrive in the mail. The best part? No extra paperwork required.
For more information on how it works in your province, check out Service Canada’s page on registering your child’s birth.
Apply online
Already registered your child’s birth? Don’t worry, you can still easily apply online for your child’s SIN through Service Canada. Just upload digital copies of the necessary documents along with your application and you’ll receive your child’s SIN in the mail.
Go in person to a Service Canada Centre
In a rush to get your child’s SIN? The fastest way to get it is by going in person. You’ll need to bring all your original documentation with you and as well as a completed application form.
Apply through the mail
Don’t want to apply online or live too far from Service Canada to go in person? You can also mail your application. Just make sure to sign and complete the SIN application form. You should receive your child’s SIN through the mail in 10 to 20 business days!
Gather what you’ll need:
- Their original birth certificate
- Your own ID (driver’s licence, passport, etc.)
- Any supporting docs (if names don’t match)
- Proof of address
- Your signature on the form
What to do once your baby arrives
Sleepless nights might feel dark, but your child’s future is so bright. Once you’ve received your child’s SIN, you’re minutes away from opening an RESP with Embark. We’ll help you get up to $7,200 or more in federal and provincial grants1, so you can (try) to sleep easy about saving for their future.
Want to get started now? We can help you with that too.