How to apply Canada Child Benefit

When to apply

Online through My CRA Account

Processing time: you should receive your payment within 8 weeks.

If you didn’t apply for the CCB when you registered the provincial birth certificate of your newborn, you can apply online using My CRA Account (your personal CRA account).

1. Sign in to My Account
2. Go to “Apply for child benefits”
3. Confirm your contact information, your marital status and your citizenship
4. Add your child’s name, gender, date and place of birth
5. Review and submit your application

If you’re asked to submit additional documents, go to “Submit documents” in My Account.

By mail

Processing time: you should receive your payment within 11 weeks.

1. Fill out and sign Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application
2. Include any additional documents needed for the situations described below
3. Mail the form to your tax centre

When you need to provide additional documents

• The other parent is primarily responsible for the child (or children).

  When a child resides with individuals who are spouses or common-law partners, the female parent is presumed to be primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of all the children in the home.

  If you are the other parent and are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of all the children in the home, you must:

  1. Include a signed letter from the female parent stating that you are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of all the children in the home
  2. Mail the letter and Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application to your tax centre

  A letter is not required if both parents residing with the child are of the same sex.

• Child’s proof of birth is required

  You must provide proof of birth for a child with your application if the CRA has never paid benefits for this child, and the child was either born outside Canada or was born in Canada and is one year of age or older.

  1. Provide acceptable proof of birth
  2. Mail the proof of birth and Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application to your tax centre
• Applying for a period that started more than 11 months ago

  If you are applying for a child who started living with you more than 11 months ago, you must:

  1. Provide supporting documents for
     1. Your citizenship status (1 of the following) such as:
        • Canadian birth certificate
        • Canadian passport
        • permanent residence card
        • Canadian immigration status documents for you and your spouse or common-law partner
     2. Proof that you live in Canada (at least 3 of the following document types) such as:
        • lease agreement
        • rent receipt
        • household bill (gas, electricity, cable television, telephone)
        • driver’s licence, vehicle registration, or car insurance
        • membership in social or professional organizations
     3. Proof of birth for each child you are applying for
     4. Proof that you are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child (at least 3 of the following document types) such as:
        • a letter from the nursery or school authority showing the contact information on file for the child
        • a copy of the child’s report card, showing the contact information on file for the child
        • a copy of the child’s school registration or enrolment document, or information or emergency contact sheet, signed and certified by the school
        • if your child is being home-schooled, a letter from the school board or appropriate educational authority confirming that you have a home school arrangement
        • a registration form or a receipt from an activity or club the child is enrolled in
        • a complete and signed court order, decree, or separation agreement; the document must explain the type of custody arrangement you have (for example, shared custody) and clearly show the living arrangements for the child
        • any other document showing that the child lived with you during the period being reviewed
  2. For a complete list of all supporting documents, go to canada.ca/child-benefits-supporting-documents.
  3. Mail all supporting documents and Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application to your tax centre.
• You or your spouse or common-law partner are newcomers or returning residents to Canada

  You must:

  1. Fill out and sign Schedule RC66SCH, Status in Canada/Statement of Income
  2. Mail Schedule RC66SCH and Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application to your tax centre.

  If your spouse or common-law partner is a non-resident of Canada during any part of the year, you must fill out Form CTB9, Canada Child Benefit – Statement of Income for each year, or part of a year, that they are a non-resident of Canada.

Suggest Reading: Canada Dental Plan for Senior

More Read: 4-in-1 Newborn Bundle Application

Passport Canada Question: How to contact Passport Canada office