Ontario Just Added A New Feature To Make Renewing Your Photo Card 'Easier'

The Ontario government just announced that it's about to get a little easier to remember to renew your Ontario Photo Card.

In a news release on August 8, the provincial government revealed that Ontarians can renew IDs and documents like their licence plate, driver's licence, health card and photo card online in a matter of "minutes" (which they say is "easier, faster, and more convenient [...] than ever before").

In most cases, all you have to do to keep your government-issued ID up to date is to go online to get it renewed. And if it turns out you need to visit in person, you can at least sign up for an appointment online to skip the line at ServiceOntario.

The provincial government also shared a new update to the process that could be helpful for the forgetful type.

Anyone who has an Ontario Photo Card can now sign up for reminders that they can get either by text, via email or over the phone (or you can even opt for a combo of the three). The province will send out these reminders 60 and 30 days before your ID expires.

This feature was first rolled out for licence plates, driver's licences and health cards in July of last year, but photo cards are the latest piece of Ontario ID to be included.

How do you sign up?

In order to sign up for these digital reminders, you'll have to provide your up-to-date postal code and the number on the ID(s) you want to be reminded about.

Once you sign up, you can then expect that Ontario will send you the reminder that you signed up for with a full website link from either Ontario.ca or ServiceOntario.ca as well as updates about their service.

They will never include personal information in these reminders, demand any sort of payment or try to connect you to a real person as these reminders are all automated recorded messages.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.