--- title: "Photo ID card in Ontario: how to get one" url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/ontario" description: "Get a photo ID card (if you don't drive) in Ontario: handled by ServiceOntario. Compare all 13 provinces and territories. Official link checked 12 October 2026." site: "Canada Service Map" author: "Mahmoud Halat" publisher: "Space & Story" lastReviewed: "2026-10-13" licence: "Built entirely from public data: open data and official government pages. Each record keeps the licence of its source, listed at https://canadaservicemap.ca/data." --- # Photo ID card in Ontario: how to get one Ontario · Identity and documents Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked 13 October 2026. Not a government website. The official page always has the final word. ## Short answer Ontario residents 16 and older who do not have a driver's licence can get an Ontario Photo Card at a ServiceOntario centre. Bring original ID that proves your legal name and date of birth. It costs $35, arrives by mail in 4 to 6 weeks, and is valid for 5 years. You cannot hold a Photo Card and a driver's licence at the same time. Who handles it: [ServiceOntario](https://canadaservicemap.ca/bodies/the-government-of-ontario). Handles it in Ontario. Apply in person at ServiceOntario; you cannot hold a driver's licence and a Photo Card at the same time. ## Official links - [Get an Ontario Photo Card](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 12 October 2026 ## Who can apply - You can get a Photo Card if you live in Ontario, are 16 or older, and do not have a driver's licence. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. ## Steps 1. You can renew online if you do not need a new photo. A new photo is required every 10 years, and then you must renew in person. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. ## What you need - Bring original identity documents, such as a birth certificate, that prove your legal name and date of birth. Bring your marriage certificate too if you are applying under your married name. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. ## How long it takes - The card is mailed to you within 4 to 6 weeks and is valid for 5 years. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. ## Where to go - First-time applications are made in person at a ServiceOntario centre, where you may be able to book an appointment. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. ## Good to know - You must give up any driver's licence or other photo ID card when you apply, and it will be cancelled. Getting a licence again later may mean retaking all the tests. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. - The Photo Card works as ID for daily business and for travel within Canada, but not for international travel. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. ## In every province and territory The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. Ontario is marked. | Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know | |---|---|---|---| | [British Columbia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/british-columbia) | ICBC (BC Identification card) | [Apply for a BCID](https://icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/Apply-for-a-bcid), checked 12 October 2026 | Apply in person at an ICBC driver licensing office. | | [Alberta](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/alberta) | Alberta registry agents (Government of Alberta) | [Get an ID card](https://www.alberta.ca/get-id-card), checked 12 October 2026 | Apply or renew in person at any registry agent office. | | [Saskatchewan](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/saskatchewan) | SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) | [Get a photo ID card](https://sgi.sk.ca/photo-id), checked 12 October 2026 | | | [Manitoba](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/manitoba) | Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) | [Apply for an ID card](https://www.mpi.mb.ca/how-to-apply-for-an-identification-card/), checked 12 October 2026 | | | Ontario (this page) | ServiceOntario | [Get an Ontario Photo Card](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 12 October 2026 | Apply in person at ServiceOntario; you cannot hold a driver's licence and a Photo Card at the same time. | | [Quebec](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/quebec) | Not offered in Quebec | None on record | Québec does not issue a non-driver photo identification card. | | [New Brunswick](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/new-brunswick) | Service New Brunswick | [Get a photo ID card](https://www.gnb.ca/en/topic/driving-transportation/driving-licensing/photo-id.html), checked 12 October 2026 | Apply in person at a Service New Brunswick centre. | | [Nova Scotia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/nova-scotia) | Registry of Motor Vehicles (Service Nova Scotia) | [Photo ID card information](https://novascotia.ca/sns/paal/RMV/paal275.asp), checked 12 October 2026 | Apply in person at an Access Nova Scotia RMV office. | | [Prince Edward Island](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/prince-edward-island) | Access PEI (Government of PEI) | None on record | Apply in person for a voluntary ID card at an Access PEI office. | | [Newfoundland and Labrador](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/newfoundland-and-labrador) | Motor Registration Division (Government Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador) | [Get a photo ID card](https://www.gov.nl.ca/motorregistration/new-drivers/photo-identification-card/), checked 12 October 2026 | | | [Yukon](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/yukon) | Motor Vehicles (Government of Yukon) | None on record | The Yukon general identification card is issued through Motor Vehicles offices. | | [Northwest Territories](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/northwest-territories) | Driver and Vehicle Services (Department of Infrastructure, Government of the Northwest Territories) | [Get a general ID card](https://www.idmv.inf.gov.nt.ca/Drivers/identification-cards/IDCard), checked 12 October 2026 | | | [Nunavut](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/nunavut) | Motor Vehicles Division (Government of Nunavut) | [General identification card](https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/service-nunavut/general-identification-card), checked 12 October 2026 | | ## Questions people ask ### How much is an Ontario Photo Card? It costs $35 to get or renew. In person you can pay by Visa, Mastercard, debit, cash or certified cheque. Online renewals take Visa and Mastercard only. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. ### Can I have an Ontario Photo Card and a driver's licence? No. You cannot hold both at the same time. Applying for a Photo Card cancels your driver's licence, and applying for a licence cancels your Photo Card. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. ### How long does it take to get an Ontario Photo Card? The card arrives by mail in about 4 to 6 weeks after you apply or renew. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. ### Can I apply for an Ontario Photo Card online? Not the first time. You apply in person at ServiceOntario. Renewals can be done online if you do not need a new photo. Source: [ontario.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card), checked 13 October 2026. ## More - [Get a photo ID card (if you don't drive) in every province and territory](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card) - [Public services in Ontario](https://canadaservicemap.ca/provinces/ontario) - [Get or renew a passport](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/passport) - [Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/sin) - [Get proof of Canadian citizenship](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/citizenship-certificate) - [Apply for Indian status or a status card](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/status-card) - [Order a birth certificate](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate) - [Order a death certificate](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/death-certificate) ## Cite this page Canada Service Map, "Photo ID card in Ontario: how to get one", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/photo-id-card/ontario