Documents needed to get a health card
What you need to get, renew or replace your health card.
To get, renew or replace your health card – including switching from a red-and-white card to a photo card – you will need three separate, original (not photocopies or printouts of electronic documents) identification documents:
- one that proves your Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status
- one that proves you live in Ontario
- one that confirms your identity
Proof of Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status
One of your documents needs to prove your Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status – choose one from this list:
For Canadian citizens
- Canadian passport
- valid or expired no more than five years
- birth certificate from Ontario or other Canadian province or territory (issued under Vital Statistics Act)
- Canadian Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad
- Certified Statement of Live Birth from Ontario, or other Canadian province or territory
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization (paper document or card, not commemorative issue)
- Certificate of Indian Status (paper or plastic card)
- Registered Indian Record (certified)
- Temporary Confirmation of Registration document
For permanent residents (formerly called “landed immigrants”)
- Permanent Resident Card
- must be valid or expired no more than five years
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (Imm 5292, 5688)
- Canadian Immigration Identification Card
- Record of Landing (Imm 1000)
For applicants for permanent residence
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) letter (IRCC used to be called Citizenship and Immigration Canada, or CIC). The letter must:
- be on IRCC letterhead, addressed to you as applicant
- state IRCC has confirmed you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada and you have not yet been denied.
- IRCC document (e.g. work permit, visitor record, temporary resident permit or study permit), with a note confirming all three of the following. You have:
- applied for permanent residence
- met the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence
- have not been denied
Other immigration status
- letter from Immigration and Refugee Board confirming Convention Refugee or Protected Person status
- Protected Person Status document
- temporary resident permit (case types 86 through 95 only)
- work permit (proof of full-time employment in Ontario is required – restrictions apply)
- this must be an original document (contract or letter) on employer company letterhead signed and dated by the employer and state:
- that the employee is working full-time
- the title/occupation of the position
- that the employee will be working for the company within Ontario
- the start date of employment, and
- that the employer intends to employ the employee for a minimum of six (6) months (the letter can state the employee is permanent. However, this does not replace the criteria to confirm “Full Time”)
- this must be an original document (contract or letter) on employer company letterhead signed and dated by the employer and state:
- Verification of Status (Imm 5716 or Imm 5715)
- written confirmation from IRCC that you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship under section 5.1 of Canada’s Citizenship Act
Proof of residency in Ontario
A second, different document needs to prove you live in Ontario – choose one from this list:
- valid Ontario driver’s licence
- temporary driver’s licence
- only if accompanied by photo licence card with the same address
- valid Ontario Photo Card
- original, mailed utility bill (e.g. cable TV, hydro, gas, water)
- monthly mailed bank account statements for savings or chequing accounts
- does not include receipts, bank books, letters or automated teller receipts
- employer record (e.g. pay stub, letter from employer on company letterhead)
- school, college or university report card or transcript
- Child Tax Benefit statement
- most recent income tax Notice of Assessment
- insurance policy (e.g. home, tenant, auto or life)
- mortgage, rental or lease agreement
- Ontario motor vehicle permit (plate or vehicle portions)
- property tax bill
- statement of direct deposit for Ontario Works or for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
- statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid (T4E)
- statement of Old Age Security (T4A) or statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits (T4A) (P)
- Any of the following statements from a bank, trust company or credit union:
- Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
- Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
- Registered Home Ownership Savings Plan (RHOSP)
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits (T5007)
- Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
Proof of identity
A third, different document needs to prove who you are. These documents must include your name and signature. Choose one from this list:
- credit card
- valid Ontario driver’s licence or temporary driver’s licence
- valid Ontario Photo Card
- Canadian Immigration Identification Card
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (plastic card)
- Certificate of Indian Status (paper or plastic card)
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (Imm 5292)
- only if signature is shown
- current employee ID card
- current professional association licence
- Old Age Security Card
- Ontario motor vehicle permit (plate portion only)
- passport (Canadian or foreign)
- Permanent Resident Card
- only if signature is shown
- Record of Landing (Imm 1000)
- student ID card
- union card
Find a ServiceOntario centre
Take your three documents – originals only – and completed application form to ServiceOntario.
Find the nearest ServiceOntario centre.
If you have any questions about choosing documents for your health card, call ServiceOntario: