Starting July 2, 2026, your driver’s licence and identification (ID) cards get a new design and added features. These updates will provide stronger protection against identity fraud and offer simpler, more secure access to services.
Canadian citizenship marker
As of July 2, 2026, Alberta driver’s licence and ID cards will display a Canadian citizenship marker when applicable.
Applying for the first time
When applying for your driver’s licence or ID card for the first time, you must provide documentation that proves:
- who you are
- you are an Alberta resident
- you are lawfully entitled to be in or remain in Canada
If the document provided confirms Canadian citizenship, a Canadian citizenship marker will be added to your card. You do not need to be a Canadian citizen to obtain a driver’s licence or ID card.
Renewing your driver’s licence or ID card
Before renewing your driver’s licence or ID card, you must provide proof you are legally entitled to be in or remain in Canada. You must bring this proof with you the next time you renew your driver’s licence or ID card at any registry agent.
Once your legal entitlement has been provided, you will not need to show this proof again at your next renewal, unless there has been a change.
If the document provided confirms Canadian citizenship, a Canadian citizenship marker will be added to the card.
Proof of legal entitlement
When applying for or renewing a driver’s licence or ID card in person, you must provide one of the following valid, original documents as proof of legal entitlement in Canada.
Examples of proof of legal entitlement:
- Secure Certificate of Indian Status
- Permanent Resident Card
- 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
Documents that prove Canadian citizenship:
- Canadian Birth Certificate
- Canadian Passport
- Canadian Citizenship Certificate (with photo, issued prior to February 1, 2012)
- Canadian Citizenship Certificate (without photo, issued after January 31, 2012)
- Canadian Citizenship Cards
- Canadian Citizenship E-Certificate
- NEXUS Cards and RAST/EXPRES Cards indicating Canadian citizenship
A complete list of acceptable documentation is available on the ID requirements for licences and identification cards.
If the name on your proof of legal entitlement documentation is different from the name on your driver’s licence or ID card, you may need to provide additional documents that explain the name change, such as a marriage certificate.
Grace period
If you are unable to provide acceptable proof that you are legally entitled to be in, or remain in, Canada, you may be eligible for a one-time 60-day grace period to allow time to obtain the required documents. To request this grace period, you will need to visit a registry agent in person and pay the applicable fee. You will receive an interim driver’s licence or ID card receipt for use during the 60 day-grace period.
Personal health number
Starting July 2, 2026, Alberta driver’s licence and ID cards will display the Personal Health Number (PHN) for eligible Albertans. Your existing health insurance coverage (Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan – AHCIP) must revalidate your eligibility when you apply for your first Alberta driver’s licence or ID card or when you renew an existing one.
- Permanent residents and Canadian citizens must revalidate their AHCIP eligibility.
- If they have dependents, permanent residents or Canadian citizens must also revalidate their family’s eligibility for coverage.
The expiry date for health insurance coverage will be the same as the driver’s licence or ID card expiry date for those who have their PHN on one of these cards.
Your physical Alberta health card will be required to revalidate your health care coverage at a registry agent. If you do not have a paper health card, you will be asked to show your mobile health card instead. You must also bring your legal entitlement documents like Canadian birth certificate, permanent resident card, or other acceptable documentation along with your driver’s licence or identification card.
If you require a replacement health card, you must revalidate your eligibility for health care coverage in person at a registry agent. Legal entitlement documents (such as, Canadian birth certificate, permanent resident card, or other acceptable documentation), identity documents and proof of residency information is required to complete the revalidation process.
If you have moved, changed your name or your family circumstances, bring appropriate documents with you. Visit Update your AHCIP information for details.
Regular revalidation of AHCIP eligibility helps ensure uninterrupted coverage under the plan and keeps your health insurance account information current.
Adding PHNs to a driver’s licence or ID card is only available in person at a registry office, starting on July 2, 2026.
Design and security
The updated security features will help protect your identity by making driver’s licences and ID cards more difficult to alter or counterfeit.
Order before renewal date
If you want to add the Canadian citizenship marker and your PHN before your driver’s licence or ID card renewal is due, visit a registry agent office to discuss options.
Out-of-province legal documents
For those born in other provinces, you can request birth certificates and other legal documentation from the links below.