Alberta will become the first province to add Canadian citizenship status to driver’s licences and identification cards, the government announced today. The change takes effect for all new and renewed licences starting fall 2026.
The provincial government said the initiative will give residents a single document to prove both identity and citizenship when accessing government services. Currently, Albertans must carry multiple pieces of identification for various programs and services.
Strengthening election integrity
Premier Danielle Smith said the citizenship marker will help ensure only eligible citizens vote in elections. The government said this change will strengthen Alberta’s democratic process and align with international identification standards.
“This is about more than convenience, it’s about trust,” Smith said in a statement. “With a single, secure card proving both identity and citizenship, Albertans will face fewer hurdles when applying for government services.”
Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said the change will reduce bureaucratic barriers for residents. “By including citizenship information on these cards, we’re streamlining access to services and reducing the need to carry multiple documents,” Nally said.
Implementation details
Beginning in 2026, people will need to bring proof of citizenship or immigration status when obtaining or renewing a driver’s licence, according to the government. The province said there will be no additional cost beyond existing licence fees.
Only Canadian citizenship will appear on the cards, the government said. Legislation to implement the change will be introduced this fall.
Rikki McBride, CEO of the Alberta Association of Registry Agents, said the organization supports the modernization effort. Registry agents deliver government identification services across the province.
Health care integration planned
The citizenship marker builds on previously announced plans to add Alberta health care numbers to driver’s licences in late 2026, according to the government. The province said more than half a million more health care numbers are registered than there are people living in Alberta, based on second-quarter 2025 population estimates.
The government said this process will help identify which health care cards remain active and explain the discrepancy in numbers.
