ID requirements for licences and identification cards

Overview

After moving to Alberta, you have 90 days to change your driver’s licence.

To get a driver’s licence or Alberta ID card for the first time, a registry agent will ask for documentation that proves who you are, proves you are an Alberta resident and proves that you are lawfully entitled to be in and remain in Canada. All documentation presented must be in English or accompanied by a written translation from an approved translator

• A registry agent cannot issue you a driver's licence or ID card unless fully satisfied you are a legal resident of both Canada and Alberta.

You must provide your legal name, address, birth date, photo and signature. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce or a legal change of name, inform the registry agent and show proof of other names.

If you are applying for a drivers licence and you already have a valid driver’s licence(s) from another jurisdiction, you must surrender it to the registry agent.

Your Alberta drivers licence or ID card may take up to 2 weeks to arrive by mail at your Alberta address. The card will not be delivered if you have mail-forwarding.

Proof of identity

Some examples of original documents that have a photo and may be used as proof of identity include:

• an ID card or driver’s licence issued by any official government
• a valid passport, NEXUS card or permanent resident card

Unacceptable identification

The following types are not accepted as identification:

• debit and credit cards or cheque cashing cards
• Social Insurance Number cards
• interim or temporary driver’s licences
• business and organization membership cards

No ID

If your ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or you cannot present enough identification to have a driver's licence or ID card issued to you, a registry agent can help you. You may be asked questions that only you will know the answer to, or you may be asked to provide documents that only you should have.

Alberta residence documents

At least one of the following types of original documents with your Alberta address may be presented as proof that you are living in Alberta. The documents may be presented in paper form or electronically:

• utility bills, bank or credit card statements showing an Alberta address
• residential lease agreement, mortgage document or land title
• written confirmation of Alberta employment, must be signed and dated

The documents must contain your full name, address and have a date of less than 90 days prior to being presented. Note, this is not an all-inclusive list. Contact a registry agent for additional examples.

If you do not have Alberta residence documents yet, you do not have to exchange your previous driver's licence right away. You have 90 days from the day you moved to Alberta to exchange your driver's licence.

A registry agent cannot issue you a driver’s licence or ID card unless fully satisfied you are a legal resident of both Canada and Alberta.

Canada residence documents

One of the following original / not-expired documents may be presented as proof that you are a permanent or temporary resident of Canada:

• Canadian provincial birth certificate
• valid Canadian passport, NEXUS or Permanent Resident card
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status
• Canadian Citizenship Card dated before February 2012
• a confirmation document, permit or resident visa issued by the Government of Canada that gives you resident status in Canada for more than the next 90 days
• refugee claimants with a Refugee Protection Claimant Document and valid work or study permit

If your Canada residence documents are not in English, you must present a written translation from an approved translator.

A registry agent cannot issue you a driver’s licence or ID card unless fully satisfied you are a legal resident of both Canada and Alberta.

Contact

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-7013
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)