3. If your baby was born outside Canada
Question and answer
How do I get a health card for my baby?If your baby was born outside Canada, you have to apply for their OHIP card at a ServiceOntario centre.
You have to fill out and bring Form 0265-82: Registration for Ontario Health Coverage. And you have to bring documents that prove:
- your identity
- you live in Ontario
- your baby has an immigration status that makes them eligible for OHIP
Document list
Form 9998E-82: Ontario Health Coverage Document List, shows all the types of documents you can use. For example, you can use a rental agreement or property tax bill to prove you live in Ontario. And you can use a passport, credit card, or a valid Ontario driver's licence or Photo Card to prove your identity.
Examples of documents that prove your baby's OHIP-eligible immigration status include:
- your baby's permanent resident card
- the Notice of Decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada approving your child's refugee claim
You must bring original documents. Photocopies are not accepted.
To learn more about which immigration statuses make someone eligible for OHIP, read Can I get health insurance if I’m not a permanent resident?
If your baby is a refugee claimant, read Can I get healthcare services after I make a refugee claim in Canada?
Get your baby’s health card
It usually takes ServiceOntario 6 weeks to process your form and mail your child's health card. You can use the transaction record you got at ServiceOntario as a temporary OHIP card.
Contact ServiceOntario if you have any questions, or if more than 6 weeks have passed and you have not got your baby's OHIP card. You can call them at 1-866-532-3161 or 416-314-5518 from Toronto. For TTY, call 1-800-387-5559.