It is the Ministry of Health requirement that every client’s identity must be validated on each visit as part of the registration process.
One of the primary responsibilities of staff registering the client is to ensure they are who they say they are. This is done by reviewing photo identification and/or other documentation.
Photo ID
Photo identification must appear authentic and unaltered. Preferred photo ID is issued by the government and includes:
- BC Services Card with photo
- Driver’s Licence, Learner’s Licence or Enhanced Driver’s Licence
- BCID Card or Enhanced Identification Card
- Passport
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Canadian Permanent Resident Card
- Canadian Forces Identification
- Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card
Additional Identification
Other forms of identification can be used to confirm identity or provide the client’s legal name. If these pieces of ID do not have a photo on them, attempt to compare the information on them with other information the client may be able to provide in order to confirm identity.
- Birth certificate
- Canadian Record of Landing/Canadian Immigration Record
- Certificate of Naturalization in Canada
- Study, Work, Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit
- Canada Identity Card (issued by Foreign Affairs Canada to foreign representatives and eligible members of their family)
- Naturalization Certificate
- Police Identification
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade ID or Consular ID
Alternative forms of ID
If legal documentation is not available, accept the documentation the client is able to present, e.g. bank card, credit card, student ID, library card, bus pass, etc. providing it appears valid.
Please refer to Sighting Client Identification for details.
(Note: you need to be connected to VCH network/VPN to access this link)