Where to mail your SIN application
Mail your Social Insurance Number application and original supporting documents to Service Canada, Social Insurance Registration Office, PO Box 7000, Bathurst NB E2A 4T1, Canada. Mail-in applies only when you cannot apply online or in person at a Service Canada Centre. There is no fee, and processing takes about 20 business days from the day your application is received.
SIN applications by mail
Service Canada Social Insurance Registration Office PO Box 7000 Bathurst NB E2A 4T1 Canada
Applicants who cannot apply online or in person at a Service Canada Centre — first applications, confirmations, and record updates
Mail it without printing anything
Upload your document — we print it, seal it, and deposit it with Canada Post within 24 hours on business days. $6 flat, no account needed, and you get a Confirmation of Mailing email for your records.
Key facts
- Mail-in is the fallback option: apply online or in person at a Service Canada Centre if you can — both are faster and let you keep your documents.
- You must mail ORIGINAL documents (such as your birth certificate or immigration document) — photocopies are not accepted by mail.
- Service Canada returns your originals by mail but is not responsible for documents lost in transit — keep copies of everything before you send it.
- Processing takes about 20 business days from the day the application is received, plus mailing time both ways.
- There is no fee to apply for a SIN — by mail, online, or in person.
How to mail it, step by step
- 1
Confirm that mail is your only option
Most people can apply online or walk into a Service Canada Centre with their documents — both routes mean your originals never leave your hands. Use mail only if neither option works for you.
- 2
Complete the SIN application form
Fill out the application form completely and sign it. Incomplete or unsigned applications are returned, which adds weeks to the process.
- 3
Gather your original documents and make copies
Include the required original documents — for example, a birth certificate for Canadian citizens or an immigration document for newcomers. Photocopy or photograph everything first: Service Canada is not responsible for documents lost in transit.
- 4
Mail to the Social Insurance Registration Office
Address the envelope to Service Canada, Social Insurance Registration Office, PO Box 7000, Bathurst NB E2A 4T1, Canada. Consider a trackable mailing option since the envelope contains your original documents.
- 5
Wait for your SIN and your documents
Allow about 20 business days from receipt, plus mail time. Your SIN confirmation and your original documents are returned to you by mail.
Common questions
Can I send photocopies instead of original documents?
No. SIN applications by mail require original documents — for example, your original birth certificate or immigration document. Photocopies and notarized copies are not accepted. Service Canada returns the originals to you by mail after processing.
What if my original documents get lost in the mail?
Service Canada is not responsible for documents lost in transit, in either direction. Before mailing, make copies or photos of everything, and consider a trackable service through Canada Post so you have proof of delivery for irreplaceable documents.
How long does a mailed SIN application take?
About 20 business days from the day Service Canada receives your application, plus the mailing time to Bathurst and the return mail with your SIN confirmation and original documents. Applying in person at a Service Canada Centre is much faster — you usually get your SIN during the visit.
Is there a fee to apply for a SIN?
No. Applying for a Social Insurance Number is free, whether you apply by mail, online, or in person. Be wary of third-party websites that charge a fee to "process" SIN applications.
Should I apply by mail or in person?
In person or online whenever possible. At a Service Canada Centre your documents are checked on the spot and handed straight back, and you typically leave with your SIN. Mail is intended for people who cannot apply online or reach a Service Canada Centre.
Can PostPal mail my SIN application?
Not this one. A mailed SIN application must include your original documents, and PostPal prints digital uploads — so you need to mail this envelope yourself. For government forms that do not require originals, like CPP or OAS applications, PostPal prints and mails them for $6 flat, deposited with Canada Post the next business day.
Sources
Addresses verified June 2026 against official sources. Always confirm on the official site before time-sensitive filings.