Memberships
To be registered with Oneida Nation of the Thames
ACCURACY OF INFORMATION
The Oneida Nation Membership office ensures that the Oneida Nation of the Thames membership list is accurate and up-to-date.
The office oversees the report of life events, which includes:
- Births
- Deaths
- Marriages and Divorces
* Membership Statistics as of January 2023
Certificate of Indian Status (CIS)
The Membership office issues Certificate of Indian Status and performs registrations of new births.
Benefits of a CIS card:
- Gas tax exemption
Apply, Renew or Replace
To issue a new Certificate of Indian Status (CIS):
- You MUST have 2 pieces of ID
- Children 15 years of age and under or dependent adults will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
Renew or replace your CIS Card?
- Please contact the office to make an appointment to renew or replace your CIS Card.
Lost or don’t have ID?
- You can get a Temporary Confirmation of Registration Document (TCRD) until you can replace your status card. If you do not have the mandatory ID to obtain a Status card please call (800) 567-9604
New Birth Registrations
To register, please contact the department to make an appointment. You will need:
- Original statement of live birth, with parents names
- Original long form birth certificate
SCIS CARDS UPDATE!
Currently Indigenous Services Canada has limited the number of laminated status cards Oneida Nation of the Thames receives. Therefore, it’s recommended by INAC that if your status card is expiring within six months to a year you should apply for the SCIS card.
Indigenous Services Canada (INAC) has also amended the identification that is required to obtain a SCIS card.
Applying for a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) Card
Application forms for a SCIS card are only available online. Renewals can now “ONLY” be completed via mail.
Additional benefits of a SCIS card:
- Regular SCIS – enables you to obtain services and benefits conferred exclusively to registered Indians (e.g. Health benefits).
- Border-crossing SCIS – used to obtain services and benefits conferred exclusively to registered Indians AND can be used as a border crossing document for entry into the United States by land and water ports-of-entry ONLY.
Apply or Renew
IMPORTANT: once you apply & receive a SCIS (black and white) card you cannot revert back to a CIS card (pink card).
To apply for a new card or renew (if your card expires within this year), you can:
- Download & print an application from the Government of Canada
- Provide Identification & Passport Photos (see Types of Acceptable Identification & Passport Photo Requirements below)
Need Help?
- For a printed copy by mail – contact the Ontario Regional Office, Indigenous Services Canada in Toronto or the Ontario District office in Brantford.
- For help filling out the forms – contact the Membership Department at Oneida Nation of the Thames.
- Questions about SCIS and reverting to a CIS card – contact INAC Toronto Regional Office at: (416) 973-7517
Types of Acceptable Identification
- Driver’s License (enhanced or regular)
- Provincial Identification Card
- Passport or Nexus
- Photo Health Card
Passport Photo Requirements
- You must supply two (2) passport pictures when applying for SCIS (Secure Certificate of Indian Status).
Wait Times
- The wait time for SCIS cards is expected to be between 4 and 7 months.
What is the Gas Tax Exemption?
In Ontario, there is a tax of 14.7 cents per litre on gasoline. First Nations individuals do not have to pay this tax if they buy gasoline:
- For their own use,
- From a ministry authorized gasoline retailer on a reserve and
- Use your CIS or SCIS Status Card as identification.
Who qualifies for the exemption?
- First Nations individuals who have a Certificate of Indian Status card (CIS) and/or Secure Certificate of Indian Status card (SCIS) issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
- First Nations bands are also eligible.
For more information see the Ministry of Finance website.
Contact Information
Band Administration
2212 Elm Avenue,
Southwold, Ontario
N0L 2G0
Tel: 519-652-3244
Fax: 519-652-9287