How to Apply for a Tribal Card in Ohio

Tribal card guides for Ohio tribes

• Shawnee Tribe
• Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
• Wyandotte Nation
• Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
• Delaware Tribe of Indians
• Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma

Members of any federally recognized tribe living in Ohio can use their tribal card for health coverage — even if their tribe is based elsewhere.

How to apply for a tribal card: 5 steps

1. 1.Confirm which tribe you descend from

   There is no single "federal" tribal card. Membership cards are issued by each federally recognized tribe, and every tribe sets its own rules. Start by identifying the tribe your Native ancestor was enrolled in.

2. 2.Gather family records

   Most tribes ask for certified birth certificates linking you, your parents and grandparents back to an enrolled ancestor or an ancestor listed on the tribe's base roll. Death certificates, marriage records and court documents for name changes can help.

3. 3.Check if you need a CDIB first

   Some tribes require a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) before membership. CDIBs are issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or, for some tribes, by the tribe itself. Ask the tribe's enrollment office which applies.

4. 4.Contact the tribe's enrollment office

   Request the current membership application. Requirements may include lineal descent, a minimum blood quantum, or other criteria. Forms, fees and processing times vary.

5. 5.Submit and wait for review

   The tribe reviews your application. Processing can take weeks or months. Once approved, the tribe issues your membership or citizenship card.

Ohio tribal card questions