To apply for an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card, you need three types of original documents. Photocopies are not accepted, and each document must be from a different category. Additional documents may be required if there have been changes to your personal information, such as a name change.
Proof of Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status
You need one document that proves your citizenship or immigration status, making you eligible for OHIP.
For Canadian Citizens:
- Birth Certificate from a Canadian province or territory (issued under the Vital Statistics Act)
- Canadian Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad
- Certified Statement of Live Birth from a Canadian province or territory
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization (not commemorative issue)
- Certificate of Indian Status (paper or plastic card)
- Registered Indian Record (certified)
- Valid Canadian Passport or one that expired less than five years ago
- Temporary Confirmation of Registration Document
For Permanent Residents (“landed immigrants”):
- Valid Permanent Resident Card or one that expired less than five years ago
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM5292 or IMM5688)
- Record of Landing (IMM1000)
For Other Immigration Statuses:
- Letter from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) confirming Convention Refugee or Protected Person status
- Protected Person Status document
- Temporary Resident Permit (in certain cases)
- Work Permit (in certain cases)
- Written confirmation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada indicating eligibility to apply for permanent residence or Canadian citizenship
- Verification of status (IMM 5716 or IMM 5715)
Proof of Ontario Residency
You need a document that shows your name and current home address, verifying that you live in Ontario.
Acceptable Documents Include:
- Child Tax Benefit Statement
- Employer record (pay stub or letter on company letterhead)
- Most recent income tax assessment
- Insurance policy (home, tenant, auto, or life)
- Monthly mailed bank account statements for savings or chequing accounts (excluding receipts, bank books, letters, or ATM receipts)
- Mortgage, rental, or lease agreement
- Ontario Motor Vehicle Permit (plate or vehicle portions)
- Property tax bill
- School, college, or university report card or transcript
- Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Works
- Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program
- Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E
- Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS) or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A (P)
- Statement of Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), or Registered Home Ownership Savings Plan (RHOSP) from a financial institution (bank, trust company, credit union)
- Utility bill received by mail (home telephone, cable TV, public utilities commission, hydro, gas, water)
- Valid Ontario Driver’s Licence
- Temporary Driver’s Licence (must show photo license card with the same address)
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007
- Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contribution
- Valid Ontario Photo Card
Proof of Identity
You need a document that has both your name and signature.
Acceptable Documents Include:
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (plastic card)
- Certificate of Indian Status (paper or plastic card)
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM5292, if signature is shown)
- Credit card
- Current employee ID card or document
- Current professional association license
- Old Age Security card
- Ontario Motor Vehicle Permit (plate portion)
- Passport (Canadian or foreign)
- Permanent Resident Card (if a signature is shown)
- Record of Landing (IMM1000)
- Student ID card
- Union card
- Valid Ontario Driver’s Licence or Temporary Driver’s Licence
- Valid Ontario Photo Card
Summary:
- Proof of Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status: Document verifying Canadian citizenship or immigration status.
- Proof of Ontario Residency: Document proving current residence in Ontario.
- Proof of Identity: Document with name and signature.
For official OHIP eligibility and application details, contact Service Ontario at 1-800-268-1154 (within Canada) or TTY: at 1-800-387-5559.
Last modified: January 11, 2026
