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Service Nova Scotia - Registry of Motor Vehicles

Identification Cards (Photo)

Who Needs This Card?
  Anyone in Nova Scotia (including children) who wants proof of age or an identity card with a photo.

Note:  This card is often needed in order to take part in age-restricted activities (for example, attending certain movies) or purchasing age-restricted products (for example, alcohol or tobacco products, etc.).  Effective May 1, 1994, the Nova Scotia Photo Identification Card replaced the identification cards previously issued by the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission.
Issuing Department / Agency:
  Service Nova Scotia:
Registry of Motor Vehicles
Where can you get this Identification Card and / or further information?
Phone: 902-424-5851 or if calling long distance, 
call 1-800-898-7668 (toll-free)
Visit: Registry of Motor Vehicles Offices are located in Most Access Nova Scotia locations
E-mail: Send us an e-mail through our online enquiry form.
Website: http://novascotia.ca/sns/rmv
Write:

Service Nova Scotia
PO Box 1652
Halifax, NS  B3J 2Z3
Canada

Fax: 902-424-0720
Application Forms & Process:
  You can get an application form at any Registry of Motor Vehicles Customer Service Centre 

The application must be presented IN PERSON, along with the appropriate identification requirements. For information on identification requirements click here.

The applicant must appear in person to have a photo taken, and pay $17.70 (No tax is charged).

If all requirements are met and the application is approved, the applicant can expect to receive their photo identification card in the mail within 14 calendar days of visiting an Access Nova Scotia or Registry of Motor Vehicles office.

Expiry & Renewal:
 

 

This card is valid for 5 years, after which it expires.

Customers can re-apply at any time.  Identification may not be required if the applicant's identity can be verified from the photo on record.

Price & Payment:  (No tax is charged)
  ID Card:  $17.70
Replacement Card:  $17.70
Name Change:  $17.70  (New ID Card must be applied for)
Address Change:  Free
(However, if you wish to display the new address on your existing licence, you may apply for a replacement by visiting an Access Nova Scotia or Registry of Motor Vehicles office and paying the applicable fee.)

Payment at counter:  cash, debit card, Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card, cheque or money order made out to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Additional Information:
When you see the term "Master Number" or "Client Master Number" on an application form, it refers to the number on your NS Identification Card or Driver's Licence under the heading "Master".  This 14-digit number is made up of the following:
(a) the first 5 letters of your last name [if your last name has fewer than 5 letters, the difference is made up with spaces];
(b) plus the day / month / year of your birth; and
(c) plus 3 computer-assigned numbers.

For example:  FINCH--220867001 [5 letters (Finch) + 22 (for 22nd) + 08 (for August, 8th month of the year) + 67 (for 1967) + 001 (3 computer-assigned numbers) ]

For master numbers assigned to a group of individuals (joint ownership), the last 9 digits are computer-assigned.

Back to the Registry of Motor Vehicles Index in the Permits Directory

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