How to prove your identity

If you come to Canada to claim asylum, identification is required for you and your accompanying family members to prove who you are and show how you are related.

You can prove who you are using any of the following identity documents:

  • Passport 
  • Driver’s license 
  • National identity card 
  • Birth certificate (including the children’s birth certificates) 
  • Marriage certificate 
  • Any other relevant document 

 

You must fully cooperate to facilitate your asylum process by: 

  • Answering questions from the Canadian authorities. 
  • Explaining to Canadian authorities how you arrived in Canada. 
  • Showing Canadian authorities any documents used during travel, whether genuine or falsified. 
  • Providing documents that prove your identity.

 

Not cooperating with the Canadian authorities by destroying or hiding identity documents will delay establishing your identity and may place you at risk of being detained.

 

You have rights: 

  • You can ask for an interpreter at the border and during the asylum process. 
  • You can get legal help if you are detained. 

Download a PDF version of this document in françaisEnglishEspañolعربي or Kreyòl. 

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