You Can Flash Your Phone Instead Of Your Government ID In Ontario Soon

Rummaging through your wallet for that plastic square with your face on it will soon be a distant memory because Ontario's digital IDs are launching later this year.

The new, government-issued IDs will live entirely on your device and might save you a trip to Service Ontario. 

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You can use your digital ID to check in for virtual medical appointments, apply for government assistance like CERB or EI, access vaccination records, and open a bank account.

You can also use it to obtain a birth, marriage, or death certificate, says the government. 

Businesses that opt to use digital IDs can use them to hire new employees, verify customers’ identities, and more.

The new digital cards will be totally optional and Ontario residents will still be able to use their physical cards and certificates. 

The government has just finished the public consultation phase of the project, which ended on February 26, 2021.

The digital ID will be ready to introduce to the public in late 2021.

Ontario has been moving in the digital direction for a few years now. In 2019, digital proof of insurance and pink slips were made available to drivers.