Albertans will begin receiving redesigned driver’s licences and identification cards starting July 2 that combine identity, personal health numbers and, where applicable, proof of Canadian citizenship on a single card.
The province says the new cards are intended to reduce the need for Albertans to carry multiple documents when accessing government programs and services. The cards will also feature a new design and enhanced security features aimed at reducing fraud.
“This redesigned card is more than a visual update. It is a practical improvement that will make life easier for Albertans,” said Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally.
“The new features modernize Alberta’s driver’s licences and identification cards, making them more secure, more reliable and more useful for everyday service access. Having one secure card is a practical improvement that will better serve Albertans now and into the future.”
Under the new system, Albertans renewing a driver’s licence or provincial ID card or obtaining one for the first time will be required to provide proof that they are legally entitled to remain in Canada. Those who confirm Canadian citizenship will have a “CAN” marker added to the top-right corner of their card.
Eligible non-citizens will still be able to obtain driver’s licences and identification cards. The government says a one-time 60-day grace period may be available for people who need additional time to obtain required documentation.
The province is also integrating Alberta Health Care personal health numbers into the cards. To have a personal health number added, eligible Albertans must present their Alberta Health Care card, valid identification and proof of legal entitlement when applying or renewing. Registry agents will verify eligibility for Alberta Health Care coverage before the number is added.
“These new cards will make accessing services simpler and more convenient for eligible Albertans,” said Justin Wright, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services.
“By integrating personal health numbers into driver’s licences and ID cards, we are streamlining access to health services and improving how information connects across the system, making care more efficient and responsive for Albertans.”
The rollout will occur in two phases.
In the first phase, all Albertans renewing or obtaining a card for the first time will be required to confirm their legal presence in Canada using approved documents, such as a Canadian birth certificate. Eligible citizens and permanent residents covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) will begin receiving cards with their personal health number printed on the back.
The first phase also includes free identification cards with integrated health numbers for youth aged 12 and 13.
In the second phase, personal health number integration will expand to all remaining eligible Albertans who are citizens or permanent residents with AHCIP coverage. Children under 14 will also become eligible for free ID cards with integrated health numbers and the option to include a photograph and signature.
The government says there will be no additional cost for the redesigned cards.
The changes are part of a longer-term plan to reduce and eventually eliminate Alberta’s paper health-care cards, replacing them with a single government-issued card that can be used to access a range of provincial services.
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