Getting a Provincial Photo ID

What Is a Provincial Photo ID Card?

A provincial photo ID card is a government-issued identification card that looks similar to a driver's license but does not grant you the right to drive. It serves as an official proof of identity and age within Canada. Every province and territory in Canada offers some form of photo ID card for residents who do not have a driver's license.

For newcomers, a provincial photo ID card is one of the most practical documents you can obtain early in your settlement process. While your passport and immigration documents are valid forms of identification, carrying them daily is inconvenient and risky. A provincial photo ID is a compact, Canadian-issued document that is widely accepted by banks, employers, government offices, retailers, and service providers across the country.

Who Needs a Provincial Photo ID?

A provincial photo ID card is especially useful for:

• Newcomers who do not drive and therefore do not have a Canadian driver's license
• People who prefer not to carry their passport as daily identification
• Anyone who needs a secondary piece of Canadian ID for banking, renting an apartment, or accessing services
• Youth and seniors who need government-issued photo identification but do not hold a driver's license
• Temporary residents (workers and students) who want a provincial ID alongside their immigration documents

If you already have a valid Canadian driver's license from your province, you generally do not need a separate photo ID card, as the driver's license serves the same identification purposes.

Province-by-Province Application Guide

Ontario Photo Card

Issuing authority: ServiceOntario

Eligibility: You must be a resident of Ontario and at least 16 years old. You cannot hold a valid Ontario driver's license at the same time as a photo card.

Required documents:

• One original proof of legal name (passport, PR card, Canadian citizenship certificate, or birth certificate)
• One original proof of date of birth (if not shown on the legal name document)
• One original proof of Ontario residence (lease, utility bill, bank statement, or CRA notice of assessment)
• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) -- you do not need to bring the document, but you must provide the number
• Proof of immigration status if you are not a Canadian citizen (valid work permit, study permit, or PR card)

How to apply: Visit any ServiceOntario centre in person. You will have your photo taken at the office. Find locations at https://www.ontario.ca/page/serviceontario-locations.

Cost: $35 for a 5-year card.

Processing time: You will receive a temporary paper ID at the office. Your permanent photo card arrives by mail within 4 to 6 weeks.

Official info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card

British Columbia (BCID)

Issuing authority: ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia)

Eligibility: You must be a resident of BC. The BCID is available to people of any age, including minors (with a parent or guardian present).

Required documents:

• Two pieces of acceptable identification (one must be a primary document such as a passport, PR card, or Canadian citizenship certificate)
• Proof of BC residency (lease, utility bill, bank statement)
• Proof of immigration status if you are not a Canadian citizen

How to apply: Visit any ICBC Driver Licensing Office (also called Autoplan broker with driver licensing services). Find locations at https://www.icbc.com/locators/Pages/default.aspx.

Cost: $35 for a 5-year card. Reduced fee of $17 for seniors (65+) and free for minors under 19.

Processing time: Your photo is taken at the office. The BCID card arrives by mail within approximately 2 to 3 weeks.

Official info: https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/Pages/Apply-for-a-BCID.aspx

Alberta Photo Identification Card

Issuing authority: Alberta Registry Agents

Eligibility: You must be a resident of Alberta and at least 12 years old. You cannot hold a valid Alberta driver's license at the same time.

Required documents:

• One piece of primary identification (passport, PR card, Canadian citizenship certificate)
• One supporting document (SIN confirmation letter, credit card, bank statement)
• Proof of Alberta residency (lease, utility bill)
• Proof of legal status in Canada (work permit, study permit, or PR card if applicable)

How to apply: Visit any authorized Alberta Registry Agent office in person. Find locations at https://www.alberta.ca/registry-agent-locations.

Cost: Approximately $34.85 for a 5-year card.

Processing time: Your photo is taken at the office. The card arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks. You will receive a temporary identification receipt to use in the interim.

Official info: https://www.alberta.ca/id-cards

Quebec (Proof of Identity Card)

Issuing authority: SAAQ (Societe de l'assurance automobile du Quebec)

Eligibility: You must be a resident of Quebec. This card is available to residents who do not hold a valid Quebec driver's license. There is no minimum age requirement for the card itself, though applicants under 14 need a parent or tutor present.

Required documents:

• One original proof of identity (passport, PR card, Canadian citizenship certificate)
• One proof of date of birth
• Proof of Quebec residency (lease, utility bill)
• Proof of immigration status if applicable
• Social Insurance Number

How to apply: Visit a SAAQ service point in person. Appointments are recommended. Find locations at https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/saaq/points-service.

Cost: Approximately $29 for a card valid for up to 8 years, depending on age.

Processing time: Your photo is taken at the office. The card arrives by mail within approximately 3 to 4 weeks.

Official info: https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/drivers-licences/proof-identity

Manitoba Identification Card

Issuing authority: Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)

Eligibility: You must be a resident of Manitoba and at least 12 years old. You cannot simultaneously hold a valid Manitoba driver's license.

Required documents:

• Two acceptable pieces of identification (one must be primary, such as a passport or PR card)
• Proof of Manitoba residency
• Proof of immigration status if applicable

How to apply: Visit any MPI Service Centre or Autopac agent that offers driver licensing services. Find locations at https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/service-centres.aspx.

Cost: Approximately $20 for a 5-year card.

Processing time: Your photo is taken at the office. The card is typically mailed within 2 to 4 weeks.

Saskatchewan Non-Driver Photo ID

Issuing authority: Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI)

Eligibility: You must be a resident of Saskatchewan.

Required documents:

• Acceptable identification documents (passport, PR card, or citizenship certificate)
• Proof of Saskatchewan residency
• Proof of immigration status if applicable

How to apply: Visit any SGI motor license issuer in person. Find locations at https://www.sgi.sk.ca/find-an-issuer.

Cost: Approximately $15 for a 5-year card.

Processing time: Cards are typically mailed within 2 to 3 weeks.

Nova Scotia Identification Card

Issuing authority: Access Nova Scotia

Eligibility: You must be a resident of Nova Scotia.

Required documents:

• Proof of identity (passport, PR card, citizenship certificate)
• Proof of Nova Scotia residency (lease, utility bill)
• Proof of immigration status if applicable

How to apply: Visit any Access Nova Scotia centre. Find locations at https://novascotia.ca/sns/access/.

Cost: Approximately $22 for a 5-year card.

Processing time: Your photo is taken at the office. The card arrives by mail within approximately 2 to 4 weeks.

New Brunswick Photo ID Card

Issuing authority: Service New Brunswick

Eligibility: You must be a resident of New Brunswick and at least 16 years old.

Required documents:

• Acceptable identification documents (passport, PR card, citizenship certificate)
• Proof of New Brunswick residency
• Proof of immigration status if applicable

How to apply: Visit any Service New Brunswick centre in person. Find locations at https://www.snb.ca/e/2000/2000-e.asp.

Cost: Approximately $30 for a 5-year card.

Processing time: Cards are typically mailed within 2 to 4 weeks.

Tips for Getting Your Provincial Photo ID

Apply Early

A provincial photo ID is one of the first documents you should get after your SIN and health card. Having a Canadian-issued photo ID simplifies daily life and reduces the need to carry your passport.

Bring Extra Documents

Bring more documents than you think you will need. If your primary document is rejected for any reason, having backups saves you a return trip. Bring at least two forms of ID and two proofs of address.

Check Accepted Documents Online Before Your Visit

Every province publishes a list of accepted identification documents on their website. Review this list before your appointment to ensure you have the right combination of documents. The lists can be specific; not every foreign document is accepted.

Temporary Residents: Check Expiry Rules

If you are on a work permit or study permit, your provincial photo ID may be issued with an expiry date matching your immigration document. When you renew your permit, you will need to update your photo ID as well.

Store Your ID Safely

Once you receive your photo ID, keep it in your wallet and store your passport in a safe place at home. For most daily activities in Canada, a provincial photo ID is sufficient identification.

Photo Requirements

Your photo will be taken at the office. Remove hats, sunglasses, and headgear before your photo (religious head coverings are generally permitted). Follow any specific instructions given by the staff regarding facial expressions and positioning.

Name Consistency

Ensure the name on your application matches the name on your primary identification document exactly. If you have recently changed your name (for example, after marriage), you may need to bring proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or legal name change document.

Why a Provincial Photo ID Matters

Having a Canadian-issued photo ID provides several practical advantages:

• Widely accepted: Banks, employers, landlords, and government offices all recognize provincial photo ID as valid identification.
• Convenient size: It fits in your wallet, unlike a passport.
• Reduces risk: If your wallet is lost or stolen, replacing a provincial photo ID is much simpler and cheaper than replacing a passport.
• Age verification: Required for purchasing age-restricted products and services.
• Secondary ID: Useful when two pieces of identification are required (for example, when signing a lease or opening a bank account).

Useful Links

• Ontario Photo Card: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card
• BC BCID: https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/Pages/Apply-for-a-BCID.aspx
• Alberta Photo ID: https://www.alberta.ca/id-cards
• Quebec Proof of Identity: https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/drivers-licences/proof-identity
• Saskatchewan Non-Driver Photo ID: https://www.sgi.sk.ca