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ID to Vote

To vote at the federal election you have to prove your identity and address. There are three ways to do this:

Option 1: Show one of these pieces of ID

  • your driver's licence
  • any other card issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial/territorial or local) with your photo, name and current address

Option 2: Show two pieces of ID

Both must have your name and at least one must have your current address.

Examples:

  • voter information card and bank statement
  • utility bill and student ID card

See the full list of accepted ID below to prove your identity and address under Option 2.

Option 3: If you don't have ID

You can still vote if you declare your identity and address in writing and have someone who knows you and who is assigned to your polling station vouch for you.

The voucher must be able to prove their identity and address. A person can vouch for only one person (except in long-term care institutions).

List of accepted ID to prove your identity and address under Option 2

From a government or government agency 

  • band membership card
  • birth certificate
  • Canadian citizenship card or certificate
  • Canadian Forces identity card
  • Canadian passport (accepted only as proof of identity)
  • card issued by an Inuit local authority
  • firearms licence
  • government cheque or cheque stub
  • government statement of benefits
  • health card
  • income tax assessment
  • Indian status card or temporary confirmation of registration
  • library card
  • licence or card issued for fishing, trapping or hunting
  • liquor identity card
  • Métis card
  • old age security card
  • parolee card
  • property tax assessment or evaluation
  • public transportation card
  • social insurance number card
  • vehicle ownership
  • Veterans Affairs health care identification card

From Elections Canada

  • targeted revision form to residents of long-term care institutions
  • voter information card

From an educational institution

  • correspondence issued by a school, college or university
  • student identity card

From a health care facility or organization

  • blood donor card
  • CNIB card
  • hospital card
  • label on a prescription container
  • identity bracelet issued by a hospital or long-term care institution
  • medical clinic card

From a financial institution

  • bank statement
  • credit card
  • credit card statement
  • credit union statement
  • debit card
  • insurance certificate, policy or statement
  • mortgage contract or statement
  • pension plan statement
  • personal cheque

From a private organization

  • employee card
  • residential lease or sub-lease
  • utility bill (e.g.: electricity; water; telecommunications services including telephone, cable or satellite)

Letters of confirmation

  • letter from a public curator, public guardian or public trustee
  • letter of confirmation of residence from a First Nations band or reserve or an Inuit local authority
  • letter of confirmation of residence, letter of stay, admission form, or statement of benefits from one of the following designated establishments:
    • student residence
    • seniors' residence
    • long-term care institution
    • shelter
    • soup kitchen
    • a community-based residential facility

Additional pieces of ID may be added. We accept e-statements and e-invoices. Print them or show them on a mobile device.

This list of accepted ID is also available in multiple languages. For the list in other formats, such as Braille and audio, call 1-800-463-6868.

Important information about ID

  • We accept pieces of ID in their original format. If your document was issued electronically, like an e-statement or an e-invoice, bring a printout or show it on a mobile device.
  • We accept different pieces of ID from the same source if the documents serve different purposes. For example, we accept an invoice and a transcript from the same school.
  • Your name and address must be printed on the ID. They can't be added by hand, unless they are added by the issuer of the document, like a residence administrator or a guardian.
  • We accept expired ID, as long as it has your name and current address.
  • The pieces of ID listed above are authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer. No other pieces will be accepted.
  • The pieces of ID required for a federal election are not the same as for provincial, territorial or municipal elections.

Policy on Voter Identification

FAQs on ID