Application for a Verification of Status (VOS) or Replacement of an Immigration Document

If you are requesting a Verification of Status document for a deceased person, there are specific criteria that must be met. Please note that replacement of a valid temporary resident document will not be issued for a deceased person.

Personal information can be released, without consent, if an individual has been deceased for more than 20 years. If you are requesting a VOS document for someone who has been deceased for more than 20 years, you must include a death certificate or a copy of the vital statistics record from the province/territory where the person lived.

We cannot disclose personal information about an individual who has been dead for less than 20 years. In some cases, an exception will be made if the executor or the estate or on having Power of Attorney requires the deceased’s personal information to administer his/her estate. In these cases, you must provide proof of death, which may include a copy of an obituary notice, a death certificate or photograph of the person’s tombstone, as well as proof of executorship or Power of Attorney.

Communication from IRCC

The application form provides an opportunity to give your email address to IRCC. When you provide your e-mail address, you are authorizing IRCC to send all correspondence regarding Verification of Status documents, including your verification of status document and personal information on your file, to the e-mail address you provided. If you have not indicated an e-mail address, all correspondence will go to the mailing address you provided on your application form. This will reduce delays associated with mailing time.

Note: When you receive your document by email, in order to properly view it, you must open it on a desktop or laptop computer. If you open the document on a smart phone or tablet, the document will often appear blank.

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Gather documents

Use the Document Checklist (part of the IMM 5009 application form) to gather the documents you need to support your application. Failure to include any of these documents will result in your application being returned to you without processing. Do not submit your originals unless specifically requested, as these will not be returned to you. The following documents must be included with your application:

1. Photocopy of one piece of federal or provincial/territorial government issued photo identification or if unavailable, a photocopy of government issued or internationally recognized photo identification from outside Canada before your entry to Canada. This could include:
   • the passport or travel document you used to enter Canada as a permanent resident. If you have never entered as a Canadian permanent resident, include a photocopy of the passport or travel document you used as a temporary resident. Include only copies of the passport or travel document pages showing:
     • Passport number,
     • Date of issue and expiry,
     • Photo, name, date, and place of birth, and
     • Any amendments to your name, date of birth, expiration, or any other information on the document.
   • your driver’s license (issued by a federal or provincial/territorial authority).
   • your photo health card (if applicable)

   Note: If you no longer have the passport or travel document you used on entry, then include a copy of the pages listed above from your current passport. However, as the information contained on your original passport simplifies the retrieval of your records, this may result in delays in the processing of your application. Please ensure that you have included your name at the time of entry to Canada on your application form. This is particularly important, if you do not include your original passport.

2. Photocopy of one piece of federal or provincial/territorial government-issued identification with or without a photo, or if unavailable, a photocopy of government issued or internationally recognized identification from outside Canada before your entry to Canada. This could include:
   • your birth certificate.
   • your marriage certificate, if applicable

   Note: If the country in which you were born does not or did not issue birth certificates, include an alternate official document showing the name, date, and place of birth of your parents. This may include a baptismal certificate, family composition form, etc.

   Note: the following identification is not accepted:

   • Social Insurance Number (SIN) cards
   • bank card
   • credit card
   • school identification card (local or international)
   • income tax return
   • Temporary driver’s license
3. Photocopy of the death certificate or provincial/territorial vital statistics document if the application is submitted on behalf of a deceased person.

   Note: If the person has been deceased for less than 20 years, you are required to provide proof that you are the executor or administrator of the estate and proof of your identity. Proof of your identity is a photocopy of one piece of federal or provincial/territorial government issued photo identification.

Translation of documents

You must submit the following for any document that is not in English or French, unless otherwise stated on your document checklist:

• the English or French translation; and
• an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they’re not a certified translator); and
• a certified copy of the original document.

 Important information: Translations must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by an applicant’s parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin.

If the translation is not done by a certified translator (a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial association of translators and interpreters in Canada), you must submit an affidavit swearing to the accuracy of the translation and the language proficiency of the translator.