Renewing Your Photo Health Card

A photo health card has an expiry date that is linked to your date of birth. If you are older than 15½ years, you will need to visit an ServiceOntario centre to renew your health card and have a photo taken.

Renewal notices for photo health cards are mailed approximately two months prior to the expiry date shown on the front of your card, but you can renew up to six months prior to this expiry date.

If you are 15½ years of age or older, to renew your Ontario photo health card, you must :

1. Go in person to your nearest ServiceOntario centre.
2. Complete a Health Card Renewal (form 4297-82).
3. Bring with you an original document that proves your residency in Ontario and an original document with your name and signature to prove your identity (refer to the Ontario Health Coverage Document List (form 9998E-82).

You may be asked for additional documents, for example :

• If your name has changed you will need to provide a marriage certificate or a change of name certificate.
• If your citizenship or immigration status has changed you will need to present an original citizenship or immigration document.
• Children older than 15½ years of age must renew in person and have their photo and signature taken. They will need their own original documents (refer to the Ontario Health Coverage Document List (form 9998E-82).

However, in most cases,

• Children younger than 15½ years of age will be sent a renewal notice offering a mail-in renewal option.  That notice will advise the parent/guardian if they must visit a ServiceOntario centre to provide their own proof of residency and identity to support the renewal of their child's health card.
• Adults 80 years of age or older will be sent a renewal notice offering a mail-in option.

  If a health card is renewed by mail, the new health card which will not have your photo or signature.

January 2012