Registration
Upon arriving in Québec, you may register with the Health Insurance Plan if you meet the eligibility conditions. This way you will avoid delaying your coverage start date. You may register only after you have arrived in Québec.
Step 1 – Fill out the registration form
Call us to obtain a registration form. This first contact enables us to pre-register you and produce your personalized registration form. Thereafter, you will receive this form in the mail. Once you do, check the information and sign the form.
You can also obtain a registration form at our Québec and Montréal reception desks. You cannot complete and send the form online. You will have to come in person to have your identity checked.
Specific registration requirements
You have nothing to do to register your child born in Québec if:
- you have taken up residence in Québec
- you are eligible for the plan as a temporary Québec resident
However, you have to call us if you wish to register your child born outside Québec or adopted. To find out more, refer to the page Birth or adoption.
You have to register with the Québec Health Insurance Plan upon arriving in Québec even if you were registered in the past. On the other hand, you don’t have to register if you are returning to Québec after a temporary absence during which you remained insured.
Step 2 – Gather the required documents
In addition to the form, you will have to provide other documents to complete your registration. If an original document is required, you may replace it with a certified true copy Certified true copy
Not just a copy, but a copy of an original document that is certified true by a competent authority (i.e. the organization that issued the original document). from the issuing organization. Please attach the following documents, depending on your situation:
The original of one of the following identity documents:
- birth certificate
- Canadian citizenship certificate (in case RAMQ checks with the issuing organization)
- Canadian passport
- copy of the act of birth
Canadian citizens having taken up residence outside Canada, who are in Québec as temporary workers, must also provide a copy of their employment contract or an attestation from their employer confirming the employment contract start and end dates.
The originals of the following documents:
- permanent resident card, or any other document issued by the Canadian immigration authorities attesting to your permanent resident status in Canada
- Québec selection certificate, in most cases
If you are an Indian born outside Canada, you must attach to your form the original of your Indian status certificate issued by the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, along with the original of your birth certificate.
If you are an Indian born in Canada, you must attach to your form one of the documents that Canadian citizens have to submit.
You must attach the originals of the documents issued by the Canadian and Québec immigration authorities.
You must attach the original of an employment authorization issued by the Canadian immigration authorities allowing you to work in Québec for more than 6 months. The authorization must indicate the employer's name and the place of employment.
You must attach the original of an employment authorization issued by the Canadian immigration authorities.
- the original of the document issued by the Canadian immigration authorities allowing you to be in Canada for more than 6 months
- a document proving that you hold a liturgical office
You must attach the original of your attestation of stay in Québec as a scholar (document issued by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur).
- Spouse Spouse
Two persons (of the opposite sex or the same sex) are considered spouses if they are: (1) married and have entered into a civil union (2) have been living together for 12 months (separations of less than 90 days do not interrupt the 12-month period) (3) are living together (regardless of for how long) and together have had or have adopted a child. who is a foreign national
- the original of the
document issued by the Canadian immigration authorities allowing you to be in
Canada for more than 6 months
- a photocopy of your marriage certificate or of your certificate of civil union, or a sworn statement Sworn statement
A statement made under oath and signed before a commissioner for oaths. made before a commissioner for oaths
attesting that you are living in a de facto union or in a civil union with the person you are accompanying or else that you are married to that person
- Spouse who is a Canadian citizen
- the original of one of the identity documents requested of Canadian citizens
- a photocopy of your marriage certificate or of your certificate of civil union, or a sworn statement Sworn statement
A statement made under oath and signed before a commissioner for oaths.Sworn statement
A statement made under oath and signed before a commissioner for oaths. made before a commissioner for oaths attesting that you are living in a de facto union or in a civil union with the person you are accompanying or else that you are married to that person
- a sworn statement Sworn statement
A statement made under oath and signed before a commissioner for oaths. that your stay in Québec is for more than 6 months
- Dependant who is a foreign national
- the original of the document issued by the Canadian immigration authorities allowing you to be in Canada for more than 6 months
- if you are age 18 or over, proof of school attendance or a medical certificate attesting that you have a functional impairment
- Dependant who is a Canadian citizen
- the original of an identity document requested of Canadian citizens
- a sworn statement Sworn statement
A statement made under oath and signed before a commissioner for oaths. made before a commissioner for oaths attesting that your stay in Québec is for more than 6 months
- if you are age 18 or over, proof of school attendance or a medical certificate attesting that you have a functional impairment
Proof of residence in Québec
If you have taken up residence in Québec after arriving from another country or province, in addition to the proof-of-identity documents, you must attach proof of residence in Québec to your registration application form. A single proof of residence can be used for a family, if all family members living at the same address register simultaneously.
If you are staying in Québec temporarily, you don't have to submit proof of residence.
Agreements with other countries
If you are arriving from another country that has signed a social security agreement with Québec, you could be registered for the Health Insurance Plan under that agreement. For details about how to register for the Health Insurance Plan, consult the webpage Agreements with other countries.
Documents that have to be translated
You must have any document in a language other than French and English translated at your cost. We accept translations made by members or the following organizations:
Step 3: Send in the documents and have your photo taken
Go to one of our service points to have your identity checked. Bring your documents along with 2 identity documents, including one with a photo. Depending on the service point, you will have to provide a photo or have one taken on the premises. A fee applies, which is not reimbursable.
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RAMQ service point (CLSC)
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Required documents
- Registration form
- Originals of the requested forms
- Legible photocopies of both sides of the requested documents
Photo to be provided
Fee: Varies depending on the pharmacy or photographer providing the service
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Québec or Montréal RAMQ reception desk
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Required documents
- Registration form
- Originals of the requested forms
Photo taken on the premises
Fee: $9
Methods of payment: Cash, credit and debit card, cheque, money order, bank draft
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If you are exempted from providing your photo and signature, you may mail us the requested documents. In this case, please send originals of the documents. We will return them to you within 30 days. To find out more, refer to the page Photo and signature.
Step 4 – Receiving a letter and your card
After we have processed your application for registration, you will receive a letter specifying the date on which you will become eligible for the Québec Health Insurance Plan, if applicable. You will receive your Health Insurance Card in the next 14 days.
Private insurance during the waiting period pending eligibility
Apart from certain exceptions, RAMQ does not reimburse the cost of the healthcare received during the waiting period. During this period, to save you from having to pay for any healthcare services that you or your family members may need, we strongly recommend that you take out private insurance within 5 days following your arrival in Québec. Thereafter, coverage is more difficult to obtain. For information about private insurance, contact the OmbudService for Life - Health Insurance (OLHI).
Application for review
You can apply for an administrative review if you disagree with a RAMQ decision. To find out more, refer to the page Application for review.