Birth Registration and Canada Child Benefits

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Vital Statistics Division, Service NL, are partnering to offer a new, quick, easy, and secure way to apply for all child benefit programs for your newborn. This includes the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB), the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), the GST/HST credit, and any related provincial/territorial programs the CRA administers.

After your child’s birth has been registered, and with your consent, the Vital Statistics Division will send the registration information over a secure communication network to the CRA. The CRA will then determine if you are eligible for benefits.

How do you register?

If you are the biological mother, and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of your child, all you need to do is:

• Complete and sign your child’s birth registration form.
• Consent to the Vital Statistics Division sharing your information with the CRA.
• Provide your social insurance number (SIN).

The CRA may contact you if more information is needed.

The following information will be sent to the CRA, after your child’s birth has been registered with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador:

• your name, date of birth, place of birth, SIN, and mailing address;
• your child’s name, date and place of birth, sex of the child; and
• your child’s birth registration number.

If you give your consent on the birth registration form, do not reapply for your child’s benefits using the CRA online service or Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application. If you reapply it may result in a delay in processing your first application or issuing payments.

If you do not consent

If you do not give your consent, the information you provided on the birth registration form will not be sent to the CRA. You will then have to apply for Canada child benefits either by using the Apply for child benefits online service at www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount, or by using Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application, available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/forms.

Payments and direct deposit

To receive your payments, you and your spouse or common-law partner must each file an income tax and benefit return every year, even if you have not received income in the year.

Any amounts that may be due to you will be sent as soon as the birth registration and the benefit application processes are done. Once the CRA receives your application, you may expect your first notice/payment within 80 calendar days. We encourage you to choose the option of direct deposit to receive your payments. To use the CRA’s direct deposit service go to www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount, or get the Direct Deposit Enrolment Form, on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/forms.

Even if you receive your payments by direct deposit, you must inform the CRA of your new address each time you move.

To reach the CRA

For more information regarding this new service, visit the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/aba.

For general enquiries about your Canada child benefits payments or to update your personal information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/benefits or call 1-800-387-1193.

Personal Information Collection Statement

Personal information is collected under the Income Tax Act to administer tax, benefits, and related programs. It may also be used for any purpose related to the administration or enforcement of the Act such as audit, compliance and the payment of debts owed to the Crown. It may be shared or verified with other federal, provincial/territorial government institutions to the extent authorized by law. Failure to provide this information may result in interest payable, penalties or other actions. Under the Privacy Act, individuals have the right to access their personal information and request correction if there are errors or omissions. Refer to Info Source, Personal Information Banks CRA PPU 005, CRA PPU 063, and CRA PPU 140.

Date modified:

2015-11-12