Check a Status

People, offices, funders, and journalists sometimes need to check what someone is claiming. The Forum offers two kinds of checks, and it is plain about what each one can and cannot tell you.

Check 1: Is a group a recognized tribe?

The Forum does not decide this and does not keep that list. Recognition is published by governments.

• Federally recognized tribes are listed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Federal Register. See Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• State recognized tribes are recognized by each state. For Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland, contact the Virginia Council on Indians, the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs, and the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs.
• A group that appears on neither list may still be a real community with a real history. It is not a recognized tribe. Ask the group what status it claims and what that claim rests on.

Check 2: Is a Documented Descent claim valid?

The Forum is just beginning its review pilot, and the automated code lookup is not ready. Until it is, use the request form below.

• For an individual, include the record code the person gave you. We will answer with one of three results: valid, withdrawn, or not found.
• We do not confirm or deny whether a named person has applied. A not found result is not a negative finding about anyone. It means no record exists for that code.
• For a group or community, give the name as it was presented to you and what it claims. We will tell you whether a Documented Community record exists and share only what a lookup would show.

Is someone enrolled in a nation?

Only that nation can tell you. Contact the nation's enrollment office. The Forum cannot answer this and does not try.

Request a status check

Use the form below. Say whether you are checking an individual or a group, include the record code or the group's name as it was presented to you, the nation or status being claimed, your organization and role, and what the check is for. By submitting, you understand the Forum confirms only what a code shows and does not confirm whether anyone has applied.

Report a concern

Nations, offices, and others can tell the Forum about a code, a listing, or a use of the Forum's name that concerns them. Use the same form and begin your message with the word Concern. Concerns go to the panel and receive a written response. The Forum handles them privately and does not publish them.