Documents needed to apply for a Health Card
When you apply for a Health Card, you need to provide supporting documents that prove you’re legally entitled to remain in Canada and your current civic address.
You need to provide supporting documents when you apply for a Health Card. If supporting documents are not provided, your application can’t be processed.
Proof you’re legally entitled to remain in Canada
When you apply for a Health Card, you need to have proof you're legally entitled to remain in Canada. The Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program requires that you provide a copy of 1 of the following documents:
- proof of Canadian citizenship
- Canadian birth certificate
- Canadian passport (passport can't be expired more than 5 years)
- Canadian citizenship card or certificate (both sides of the card or certificate)
- Nexus Card
- Canadian Armed Forces identification (ID) card
- RMCP identification (ID) card
- certificate of Indian Status Card
- proof you’re a permanent resident
- permanent resident card (both sides of the card)
- confirmation document or letter
- proof you’re a Person in Need of Protection, living in Nova Scotia on humanitarian and compassionate grounds or a Convention refugee
- work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that’s valid for at least 12 months
- study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that’s valid for at least 12 months
- other documents accepted for proof you’re legally entitled to remain in Canada by the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program (contact MSI Resident Services to confirm other types of accepted documents)
Proof of current civic address
When you apply for a Health Card, you need to have proof of your current civic address (where you live). A copy of 1 of the following documents is required:
- mortgage document or property tax bill from the current year
- rental or lease agreement (must be signed by the landlord and tenant)
- utility bill from the last 6 months (for example, phone, power, cable, internet, water or wastewater)
- insurance policy (home, tenant or auto)
- Nova Scotia driver’s licence or photo identification (ID) card (licence or ID card can't be expired)
- Nova Scotia vehicle permit (permit can't be expired)
- most recent Child Tax benefit statement
- bank statement or credit card statement (from the last 6 months)
- Income Assistance benefit statement
- employment confirmation (pay stub from the last 6 months or letter from your employer on company letterhead)
- most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment