News release

Birth Registration, Social Insurance Number, Canada Child Benefits Application Easier

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

Parents may now register their newborn's birth and apply for their child's Social Insurance Number and Canada Child Benefits using one application form.

The new service, a partnership of the province of Nova Scotia, Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency, was announced today, Aug. 5, by Ramona Jennex, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, and Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue, and Ann McCabe, director, Women's and Newborn's Health at the IWK Health Centre.

"I am proud that Nova Scotia is the first province to introduce this service," said Ms. Jennex. "It is always good when we can make life easier for parents who already have to deal with a lot of things that come with having a new baby in the family."

Parents will simply need to sign the Release of Information section on the new Registration of Live Birth form, giving consent for Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations to send the birth information to Service Canada and Canada Revenue. Each federal organization will process their respective applications.

"The government of Canada is pleased with the result of this collaboration between the federal and provincial governments that brings more timely and efficient services to the people of Nova Scotia," said Mr. Keddy. "With this new integrated service, parents of newborns will face less red tape when applying for benefits and services from both levels of government."

Easy access to Social Insurance Numbers for newborns makes it simpler for parents to open a Registered Education Savings Plan and apply for benefits such as the Canada Education Savings Grant and Canada Learning Bond.

"Today's announcement to simplify the birth registration process for new parents and their babies has a direct impact on many of our patients and families," said Ms. McCabe. "Anything that can reduce the stress and anxiety during this time is greatly appreciated by parents."

Applying early for Canada Child Benefits ensures parents receive the credit and benefit payments to which they are entitled.

Applications for Social Insurance Numbers and Canada Child Benefits can still be made directly to the federal departments.

For more information visit www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/vstat or call (902) 424-4381 or toll-free at 1-877-848-2578.