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Evacuees from the Alberta wildfires must visit a registry agent office in person to replace their documents, such as a driver's license, for free. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

Alberta removing costs for wildfire evacuees who need replacement ID

May 12, 2023 | 2:58 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The provincial government is waiving the fee for wildfire evacuees who need to replace their identification.

Evacuees of the Alberta wildfires who lost or left behind their Alberta driver’s licence, ID card or birth certificate between April 29 and until June 29 will be able to replace these documents free of charge. Evacuees must visit a registry agent office in person to replace their documents.

When replacing a driver’s licence, the following process will be undertaken:

  • Registry agents will validate an applicant’s identity by looking up their image and signature to ensure both match what is on file.
  • Registry agents will validate an applicant’s evacuee status by comparing their address on their motor vehicle file, with a government list of affected areas that is updated daily.
  • The agent will ask personal knowledge verification questions that only the applicant can answer.

Anyone looking to replace a birth certificate can also do so at a registry. If the applicant does not have ID, they will need to bring someone who can vouch for their identity, and that person has to have known them for more than one year.

Once they are ordered, replacement identification will arrive within five business days. More information is available at the Government of Alberta website.

Read more at LethbridgeNewsNow.com.