Alberta's new integrated ID cards causing long registry waits across province

Alberta's new integrated driver's licences and ID cards are creating delays at registries across the province since rolling out July 2. The cards now include an individual's health care number and citizenship status, eliminating the need for separate paper cards — but the process is taking longer than before.

Adding those details requires extra verification steps, according to Minister of Service Alberta Dale Nally. "It's a new process, so it's going to take a little bit longer initially," he said. The change also means Albertans now need to show proof they're legally allowed to be in Canada, a photo ID, and their health care card — expanding from the previous requirement of just a current licence or ID and a secondary piece of ID.

Some residents are hitting unexpected barriers. Elizabeth Volden, who immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1975 and has lived in Grande Prairie for more than 30 years, attempted to renew her ID four times in late July, spending over four hours at the registry across those visits. She brought both her birth certificates, her old ID, and her health care card, but registry staff asked for a landed immigrant card — something she doesn't have. She was eventually told to apply for a new certificate of birth abroad with her photo, a process that prevented her from boarding a plane to visit family in the Maritimes.

Ann Palmer, an Edmonton resident who immigrated from Germany in the early 1950s, faced similar requests for her marriage certificate and certificate of Canadian citizenship when she tried to renew her ID two weeks ago.

Nally advised residents to bring proper documentation to make their experience "as seamless as possible," though the province has not clarified exactly which documents satisfy the new requirements or how registries are being staffed to handle the increased processing time. The Alberta Motor Association and Alberta Association of Registries both declined to comment.