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How to fax a form to Service Canada
Service Canada handles Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Social Insurance Numbers and several other federal programs. Each program has its own rules for how documents are submitted, and fax is accepted for some situations but not others. This fax-online.ca guide explains how to check whether fax is an option for your form, how to prepare it so it can be matched to your file, and how to send it from a browser.
Get Started NowCheck that fax is accepted for your document
Do not assume a single Service Canada fax number covers everything. Fax numbers, where they exist, are usually specific to a program, a processing centre or a particular request. Many applications are meant to be submitted online through My Service Canada Account, by mail or in person at a Service Canada Centre.
The safest sources are the letter Service Canada sent you, the instructions on the form itself, or the program page on canada.ca. If none of them list a fax number, phone the program's line and ask before sending anything sensitive by fax.
Prepare the pages so they match your file
Faxed documents are handled by staff who need to link them to the right person quickly. Help them by being thorough.
- Write your full name and any reference number from your letter on each page, if the instructions allow it
- Include every page of the form, even blank ones, unless told otherwise
- Sign and date where required; an unsigned form is a common reason for delay
- Use dark ink and scan at a readable resolution so small print survives
- Remove staples and sticky notes before scanning so nothing is hidden
Send the form from your browser
fax-online.ca runs on FaxToFax.com, a browser-based service, so you can send from home without a fax machine or a trip to a print shop.
- Scan or photograph the completed form and combine the pages into one PDF.
- Sign in with your email and the one-time code.
- Create a new fax and attach your PDF, PNG or JPG files.
- Add a cover page listing your name, reference number, the program and the number of pages. Leave out your full SIN unless the instructions ask for it.
- Enter the fax number exactly as it appears on your letter or form, then confirm it.
- Send and wait for the status to show Delivered.
After you send
Download or note the time-stamped delivery receipt saved with the delivered fax. If you call Service Canada later, the date and time of delivery helps the agent locate your document. Keep the original paper form as well, because you may be asked to provide it again.
Processing times vary by program and season. A delivery receipt confirms the fax arrived; it does not mean your file has been reviewed. If you hear nothing within the time frame given on canada.ca, call the program line and quote the delivery date.
How to Fax a Form to Service Canada: questions
Is there one fax number for all of Service Canada?
No single number covers every program. Use the fax number printed on your letter or form, or confirm one with the program by phone. If you cannot find one, fax may not be accepted for that document.
What if my fax shows Failed?
A failed fax uses no pages. Check the number for typos, make sure the line is a fax line and try again later. Busy government fax lines sometimes need a second attempt.
Can I send my supporting documents in the same fax?
Usually yes, if the instructions say supporting documents can be faxed. Put the form first, then the supporting pages, and list everything on the cover page so nothing is separated.
Is it safe to fax personal information from home?
Faxes sent through fax-online.ca are encrypted in transit and at rest, and you sign in with a one-time code instead of a password. Send only what the instructions ask for and double-check the number before you confirm.
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