Needing photo ID is simply part of modern life.
We use it for banking, medical appointments, government services, travel within Canada, legal documents, and sometimes just to prove we are who we say we are.
For many people, a driver’s licence or passport serves as their main piece of government-issued photo identification. But as life changes, our ID situation can change too.
Maybe you are travelling less and no longer keep a valid passport. Maybe you have stopped driving and no longer have a driver’s licence. Or maybe you are a young adult who has not needed either one yet.
That is where the Ontario Photo Card, or other provincial ID cards, can be very useful.
The Ontario Photo Card is a government-issued photo ID for Ontario residents who do not have a driver’s licence. It can help with everyday situations where official identification is required, such as banking, appointments, and other important transactions.
You can apply in person at a Service Ontario centre if you:
- live in Ontario,
- are 16 years of age or older, and
- do not hold a driver’s license.
You will need to bring original identity documents, such as a birth certificate, to prove your legal name and date of birth. Depending on your situation, additional documents may be required, so it is worth checking the Service Ontario requirements before you go.
One very important note: you cannot have both an Ontario Photo Card and a driver’s license. If you currently have a driver’s license and apply for an Ontario Photo Card, you must give up your license, and it will be cancelled.
Like most practical things in life, the best time to sort this out is before you urgently need it.
I was speaking recently with an estate lawyer who does a lot of late-life power of attorney and will planning. Many of his clients are in hospitals, long-term care homes, or hospice. Even when everyone involved is kind, compassionate, and competent, lawyers still need to properly identify new clients before preparing legal documents.
He was the one who really underlined the benefit of the Ontario Photo Card.
For someone who no longer drives, does not have a valid passport, or has difficulty locating acceptable identification, a simple planning task can suddenly become much more complicated.
A little preparation today can save a lot of hassle tomorrow.
If you or someone in your family no longer has reliable government-issued photo ID, it may be worth looking into the Ontario Photo Card now, or another provincial equivalent, while there is time, capacity and calm.
Bryan Deviney is a Senior Financial Advisor with CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd. Please contact him at 416.216.6500 or visit www.bryandeviney.com to discuss your particular circumstances prior to acting on the information above. CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd. is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.
The case study mentioned in this presentation is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual client or an actual client’s experience, but rather is meant to provide an example of our process and methodology. The results portrayed is not representative of all of our clients’ experiences.
