#YouAsked: “How do I Apply for a Health Card or Replace my Lost Health Card?”

With your Health Insurance Card, you benefit from a range of services covered under the Québec Health Insurance Plan.

As soon as you arrive in Québec, you must call to obtain the necessary form. Depending on your situation, they will tell you what you need to do to complete your registration. If you have received your registration form, complete, sign and mail your form and supporting documents to the following address:

Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec
C. P. 6600, succ. Terminus
Québec (Québec) G1K 7T3

For the time being, no photo is required.

Please note that you may register only after you have arrived in Québec. Visit the RAMQ website for more details on eligibility requirements and to verify agreements with other countries. You can also visit their Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

The Health Insurance Card is generally valid for a period of 4 to 8 years. However, newcomers to Québec will first obtain a card valid for 1 year. Other exceptions may apply, for instance, for temporary Québec residents. All cards are valid until the last day of the month in which they expire.

Visit the RAMQ website for the detailed steps on how to Register for the Québec Health Insurance Plan.

Specific registration requirements
Newborn or adopted child
Previously registered person
Seasonal agriculture worker (French only)

Damaged, lost or stolen card

You can request the replacement of a lost, stolen or damaged card, whether for you or for your children under 18.

There are 2 ways to have a valid Health Insurance Card replaced: online or by mail. The new card will display the same photo, signature and expiry date as those on the card being replaced.

Use the online card replacement service: This is the fastest and cheapest way to obtain a new card. Cost : $15
Call to obtain a replacement form: You will receive a personalized form in the mail. Cost : $25

Card replacement is free for people 65 and over and persons receiving last-resort financial assistance.

Identity theft and reporting the theft

Contact the RAMQ and your local police if you believe that you were the victim of identity theft after losing your Health Insurance Card. To find out what steps you need to take if this happens, refer to the page Vol d’identité (French only webspage) on the website of the Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec.