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Canada provincial health card photo requirements

The photo rules set by Provincial health insurance plans (ServiceOntario, BC Services Card via ICBC, Alberta, RAMQ) for the Canada provincial health card, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 6 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the Canada provincial health card photo requirements?

For a Canadian provincial health card you usually do not bring a photo. Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta take it at the counter, and Alberta's standalone health card has no photo. Quebec is the one to check: the RAMQ says a CLSC asks you to bring a photo to renew.

Health cards are provincial and territorial, so rules differ across Canada. Ontario photo health cards are valid for 5 years; renewal is free and can often be done online if your photo and signature are up to date.

This summary covers Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. For other provinces and territories, check your own health insurance plan.

Canada provincial health card photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Provincial health insurance plans (ServiceOntario, BC Services Card via ICBC, Alberta, RAMQ):[1]

Print sizeQuebec (RAMQ): 5 cm wide by 7 cm high
BackgroundQuebec (RAMQ): plain white or light
ColourQuebec (RAMQ): colour
Photo ageOntario: photo 5 or more years old needs replacing (unless medical exemption)

Key requirements

  • Ontario

    A new photo is taken at a ServiceOntario centre if you are replacing a red and white card, your photo is 5 or more years old (unless you have a medical exemption), you are turning 16, renewing in person or changing your name, or you received a notice from ServiceOntario. People aged 75 to 80 renew in person to have a new photo taken.

  • British Columbia

    The photo BC Services Card, which can be combined with your driver's licence, is issued at an ICBC driver licensing office. Bring 2 acceptable pieces of ID (and your BC Services Card or CareCard if you have one). The BC Services Card is free; licence fees apply when it is combined with a licence.

  • Alberta

    The standalone Alberta personal health card has no photo, so you show it with photo ID. Since 2 July 2026, eligible Albertans who renew or get a driver's licence or ID card receive an integrated card that combines it with the personal health number and can be used as photo ID for health services.

  • Quebec

    The RAMQ says SAAQ service outlets take the photo on site, by appointment, while a CLSC needs no appointment but asks you to bring a photo to renew. Children under 14 and people 75 and over have exemptions.

  • Ontario photo standards

    The face must be completely visible and free of obstructions, with a neutral and relaxed expression (do not smile), facing straight at the camera. Hair must not cover your eyes.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Face the camera straight on with a neutral, relaxed expression.
  • Keep your face completely visible and hair away from your eyes.

Don't

  • Do not smile (Ontario).
  • Do not cover any part of your face.

Glasses

Ontario says you may be asked to remove hats, eyeglasses or headphones when the photo is taken.

Headwear and religious dress

Ontario allows religious or medical headwear if it does not cover any part of your face.

Babies and children

Quebec: children under 14 and people 75 and over have exemptions (the versions of the RAMQ page differ on photo details and age exemptions; confirm with the RAMQ). Ontario: a new health card photo is needed when turning 16.

In Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta the photo is taken at the counter. In Quebec the RAMQ lists a 5 cm wide by 7 cm high colour photo on a plain white or light background, with a neutral expression and mouth closed, for CLSC renewals.

Where to submit the photo

Visit a ServiceOntario centre or an ICBC driver licensing office, or have the photo taken at an SAAQ service outlet. In Quebec you can alternatively bring a photo to a CLSC.

How to get your Canada provincial health card photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Canada provincial health card: quebec background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: ontario; british Columbia; alberta; quebec.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. In Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta the photo is taken at the counter. In Quebec the RAMQ lists a 5 cm wide by 7 cm high colour photo on a plain white or light background, with a neutral expression and mouth closed, for CLSC renewals.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Visit a ServiceOntario centre or an ICBC driver licensing office, or have the photo taken at an SAAQ service outlet. In Quebec you can alternatively bring a photo to a CLSC.

Canada provincial health card photo FAQ

Ontario lists these cases: replacing a red and white card, a photo 5 or more years old (unless you have a medical exemption), turning 16, renewing in person, changing your name, or receiving a notice from ServiceOntario. You then go to a ServiceOntario centre to have the photo taken.

At an ICBC driver licensing office. You bring 2 acceptable pieces of ID, staff confirm you live in B.C., and they take your photo. The BC Services Card itself is free, but driver's licence fees apply if you combine it with your licence.

The standalone Alberta personal health card does not, so you show it with photo ID. Since 2 July 2026, eligible Albertans who renew or get a driver's licence or ID card at a registry agent receive an integrated card that combines both and serves as photo ID.

It depends on where you go. SAAQ service outlets take the photo on site, by appointment. The RAMQ says that to renew at a CLSC you must bring a photo, and that fees vary by pharmacy or photographer. Check the RAMQ's photo and signature page for the current rules.

Related photo specifications

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Official sources

  1. Government of Ontario. Renew a health card ontario.ca. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Government of British Columbia. Get a BC Services Card www2.gov.bc.ca. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. Government of Alberta. Integrated card alberta.ca. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. Government of Alberta. Standalone Alberta personal health card alberta.ca. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Photo and signature ramq.gouv.qc.ca. Checked 29 October 2026.
  6. Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Find a service point ramq.gouv.qc.ca. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Provincial health insurance plans (ServiceOntario, BC Services Card via ICBC, Alberta, RAMQ) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"Canada provincial health card photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/canada/health-card-photo

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