Series consists of Chinese Immigration (C.I.) registration and identification certificates related to implementing Canada’s Chinese Immigration Act that was law from 1885 to 1947, with amendments made in 1887, 1892, 1900, 1903, and 1923. Certificates were first issued to register and identify Chinese persons entering Canada. This function was expanded with the 1923 amendment requiring registration and identification of all Chinese persons residing in the country, immigrant and Canadian-born.

The series includes the most common C.I. certificates issued before the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act banned practically all further Chinese entry, therefore commonly known as the Chinese Exclusion Act:
-The C.I.5 certificate issued in relation to the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada, commonly known as the head tax certificate. Early versions of the certificate in use before 1912 are present.
-C.I.36 certificate issued in exchange for a C.I.5 certificate issued before 1912 that had no photograph.
-C.I.30 certificate issued to a Chinese person entering Canada belonging to a class with exemption from paying the head tax.
-C.I.28 certificate issued to replace a lost or destroyed C.I.5 or C.I.30 certificate.

The series includes a large number of C.I.45 certificates created in 1923 and 1924. The certificate was used to implement Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act that required the registration of all Chinese residing in Canada within twelve months. It was issued as proof of registration of a Canadian-born Chinese who did not possess an entry certificate for the registration stamp.

Also included in the series are samples of lesser-known C.I. certificates and records, including the C.I.4, C.I.10, C.I.18 and C.I.18a, C.I.46, and C.I.50.

The series includes a small number of N.F.63 certificates related to Chinese entry to the Dominion of Newfoundland. Newfoundland’s Act Respecting the Immigration of Chinese Persons (commonly known as the Newfoundland Chinese Immigration Act) was in force from 1906 until Newfoundland and Laborador joined Confederation in 1949.

A small number of certificates relates to birth in Canada, travel documentation, registration as overseas Chinese with the Chinese government, and Canadian citizenship received following the repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act in 1947.

Collection consists of records collected by Catherine B. Clement towards her research project on the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act that will mount a 100th year commemorative exhibition in 2023. The collection includes Chinese Immigration and other registration and identification certificates contributed by individuals, families and organizations across Canada.

C.I.5 certificate issued to a Chinese subject entering Canada. This early version of the certificate was in use from 1885 to 1911. It was redesigned in 1912 to include photo identification, and to make payment or exemption from payment of the head tax more clear. The subject paid the head tax.

This record was found among the private papers of Lee Kepment, a businessman of Vancouver's Chinatown.

C.I.5 certificate issued to a Chinese subject entering Canada. This early version of the certificate was in use from 1885 to 1911. It was redesigned in 1912 to include photo identification, and to make payment or exemption from payment of the head tax more clear. The subject paid the head tax.

C.I.5 certificate issued to a Chinese subject entering Canada. This early version of the certificate was in use from 1885 to 1911. It was redesigned in 1912 to include photo identification, and to make payment or exemption from payment of the head tax more clear. The subject paid the head tax.

C.I.5 certificate issued to a Chinese subject entering Canada. This early version of the certificate was in use from 1885 to 1911. It was redesigned in 1912 to include photo identification, and to make payment or exemption from payment of the head tax more clear. The subject paid the head tax.

C.I.5 certificate issued to a Chinese subject entering Canada. This early version of the certificate was in use from 1885 to 1911. It was redesigned in 1912 to include photo identification, and to make payment or exemption from payment of the head tax more clear. The subject was exempt from paying the head tax under classification as a merchant’s daughter.

C.I.5 certificate issued to a Chinese subject entering Canada. This early version of the certificate was in use from 1885 to 1911. It was redesigned in 1912 to include photo identification, and to make payment or exemption from payment of the head tax more clear. The subject paid the head tax.

In 1914, the subject reported this certificate lost or destroyed and a C.I.28 certificate was issued to replace it. Both certificates are among the private records of Chow Shung who operated a hand laundry in Ottawa.

C.I.5 certificate issued to a Chinese subject entering Canada. This early version of the certificate was in use from 1885 to 1911. It was redesigned in 1912 to include photo identification, and to make payment or exemption from payment of the head tax more clear. The subject was born in Canada; they were deemed required to register under the Chinese Immigration Act but exempt from paying the head tax.

C.I.5 certificate issued to a Chinese subject entering Canada. This early version of the certificate was in use from 1885 to 1911. It was redesigned in 1912 to include photo identification, and to make payment or exemption from payment of the head tax more clear. The subject paid the head tax.

In 1913, the subject reported this certificate as lost or destroyed, and a C.I.28 certificate was issued to replace it. This certificate was found among the private papers of the Chack (Jack) Nam Yipp family.

C.I.5 certificate issued to a Chinese subject entering Canada. This early version of the certificate was in use from 1885 to 1911. It was redesigned in 1912 to include photo identification, and to make payment or exemption from payment of the head tax more clear. The subject paid the head tax.

This record is among the private papers of the Annie Lore Lee Family.

C.I.28 certificate issued to replace a lost or destroyed C.I.5 certificate. The original C.I.5 certificate was issued related to the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada.

This record was found among the private papers of Gee Huey Fai.

C.I.28 certificate issued to replace a lost or destroyed C.I.5 certificate. The original C.I.5 certificate was issued related to the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

This record was found among the belongings of WONG Mow, a tailor who ran his own shop in Vancouver’s Chinatown.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

This record was found among the belongings of WONG Mow, a tailor who ran his own shop in Vancouver’s Chinatown.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.28 certificate issued to replace a lost or destroyed C.I.5 certificate. The original C.I.5 certificate was issued related to the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.30 certificate issued to a subject entering Canada belonging to a class with exemption from paying the head tax. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

This certificate and the identity of its subject were acquired by another to come to Canada.

C.I.30 certificate issued to a subject entering Canada belonging to a class with exemption from paying the head tax. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act.

This record is among the private papers of the Annie Lore Lee Family.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.30 certificate issued to a subject entering Canada belonging to a class with exemption from paying the head tax. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. An annotation relates to a legal matter.

This record was found among the belongings of WONG Mow, a tailor who ran his own shop in Vancouver’s Chinatown.

C.I.30 certificate issued to a subject entering Canada belonging to a class with exemption from paying the head tax. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act.

C.I.28 certificate issued to replace a lost or destroyed C.I.5 certificate. The original C.I.5 certificate was issued related to the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

This record is in the archives of Wong Kim Sing, a merchant associated with Vancouver's Chinatown.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

This record is in the business archives of H.Y. Louie Co. Limited.

C.I.30 certificate issued to a subject entering Canada belonging to a class with exemption from paying the head tax. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Stamp on the back relates to travel and/or other functions.

This record was found among the private papers of Gee Huey Fai.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada.

This record was found among the private papers of Gee Huey Fai.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. An annotation relates to a legal matter.

This record was found among the belongings of WONG Mow, a tailor who ran his own shop in Vancouver’s Chinatown.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

This record is in the business archives of H.Y. Louie Co. Limited.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.28 certificate issued to replace a lost or destroyed C.I.5 certificate. The original C.I.5 certificate was issued related to the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions. C.I.9 annotation relates to travel.

C.I.28 certificate issued to replace a lost or destroyed C.I.5 certificate. The original C.I.5 certificate was issued related to the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.36 certificate issued in exchange for a C.I.5 certificate issued before 1912 that had no photograph. The original C.I.5 certificate was issued related to the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.36 certificate issued in exchange for a C.I.5 certificate issued before 1912 that had no photograph. The original C.I.5 certificate was issued related to the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. Registration stamp on the back relates to Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Additional stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.

C.I.5 certificate issued in receipt of the head tax payment required for Chinese entry to Canada. C.I.44 annotation on the back relates to registration under Section 18 of the 1923 Chinese Immigration Act. Stamps relate to travel and/or other functions.