How to get an Ontario health card
Checked October 2026
An Ontario health card (OHIP) covers doctor visits and hospital care. You apply in person. There is no online application for a first card.
Oakville has four ServiceOntario centres and all four take health card applications: Cross and Lyons, North Service and Dorval (220 North Service Road West, Suite P5030), Pacific and Wyecroft (760 Pacific Road, Unit 29) and Winston Churchill and Dundas (2460 Winston Churchill Boulevard). Check hours on the ServiceOntario location list before you go.
What to bring
Three documents, and they have to be originals:
- Proof you are allowed to be in Canada, such as a Canadian birth certificate, passport, permanent resident card, or work permit.
- Proof you live in Ontario, such as a lease, a utility bill, or a bank statement showing your Ontario address.
- Proof of identity with your signature, such as a driver’s licence, credit card, or student card.
One document cannot cover two categories. Bring more than you think you need.
Common mistakes
- Photocopies are refused. Originals only.
- A piece of mail is not proof of address unless it is on the accepted list.
- Each family member needs their own set of documents, including children.
How long it takes
You leave with a temporary document the same day. The card itself arrives by mail, usually within a few weeks.