Congratulations on your new arrival! 

Amidst the diapers and late-night feedings, one of the most important "to-dos" is ensuring your baby is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

The good news? For most parents in 2026, the process is incredibly straightforward and often finished before you even leave the hospital. Here is everything you need to know about getting that tiny green photo card for your newest family member.

The Standard Process: Hospital & Midwife Births

If you are giving birth in an Ontario hospital, a birth centre, or with the help of a registered midwife, you don’t need to book an appointment at ServiceOntario.

  1. Fill out the Form: Shortly after birth, hospital staff or your midwife will give you the Ontario Health Coverage Infant Registration form.

  2. Submit & Save: You fill out the baby’s details, and the hospital or midwife submits the top portion for you. Crucial Tip: Keep the bottom "tear-off" portion! This contains your baby’s pre-assigned health number, which you can use for doctor appointments until the physical card arrives.

  3. Wait for the Mail: Your baby’s official health card will typically arrive at your home within 8 weeks.


Ontario Newborn paperwork checklist


What Information Do You Need?

To complete the registration, make sure you have the following ready:

  • Baby’s Full Name: Ensure the name on this form exactly matches the name you use for birth registration.

  • Mailing Address: Where you want the card sent.

  • Residency Confirmation: You must confirm that Ontario is the baby’s primary home and that they will be in the province for at least 153 days in any 12-month period.


If You Had a Home Birth Without a Midwife

If your birth was not attended by a healthcare professional who can submit the form, the process is slightly different:

  • Step 1: Register the birth through Ontario’s Newborn Registration Service (the "5-in-1 Bundle").

  • Step 2: Visit a ServiceOntario centre in person to complete the OHIP application. You will likely need a letter from the attending doctor or the birthing facility to prove the birth took place in Ontario.


2026 Eligibility & Common Questions

Does the 3-month waiting period apply?

No. While some newcomers to Ontario have a waiting period for OHIP, it does not apply to infants. Your baby is covered from the moment they are born.

What if I am not a Permanent Resident yet?

A parent’s specific immigration status does not disqualify a newborn. As long as the baby is born in Ontario and meets the residency requirements (living here primarily), they are eligible for coverage.

What is the "Newborn Bundle"?

Ontario offers a digital 5-in-1 Newborn Bundle that allows you to register the birth, apply for a birth certificate, get a SIN, and sign up for Child Benefits all at once. While this is great for paperwork, the Infant Registration Form given at the hospital remains the primary way to trigger the OHIP card specifically.