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CRA Document Verification Service: Get Instant Access With Photo ID

Instead of waiting for a mailed security code, you can confirm your identity instantly by taking a live photo of yourself and an accepted government photo ID with your phone's camera. You must be 16 or older and use an original, valid ID.

By Fact-checked by Samuel Athur

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Accepted IDs

  • Canadian driver's licence
  • Canadian permanent resident card
  • Secure Certificate of Indian Status (issued February 2019 or later)
  • Provincial or territorial photo ID card
  • Canadian, Australian, British or New Zealand passport

Not accepted

Provincial health cards, the older Certificate of Indian Status, expired, damaged, lost or stolen documents, photocopies, and photos not taken in real time.

If you can't use the service, request a CRA security code by mail instead, or contact the CRA.

Step by step

  1. Have an accepted, original photo ID and a phone with a working camera.
  2. Choose the document verification service when registering or signing in.
  3. Take a real-time photo of yourself.
  4. Photograph your ID.

    Keep it fully visible and still, in good light, without glare, tilt or anything covering it.

Related

CRA Phone Number and Contact Numbers (2026): Every Line and Hours The main CRA phone number is 1-800-959-8281 for personal tax and CRA account questions. For benefits like the Canada child benefit call 1-800-387-1193, and for businesses 1-800-959-5525. All three are open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time, and closed on weekends and public holidays. CRA Security Code Not Received or Expired: What to Do The CRA mails security codes within 10 business days to the address on file. If yours hasn't arrived after 10 business days, or it expired, skip the wait by verifying your identity online with the document verification service, or contact the CRA for a new code. How to Register for a CRA Account (My Account) Go to the official CRA sign-in page, choose "Register", pick how you will sign in (your bank, a CRA user ID, or a B.C./Alberta provincial partner), set up two passcode methods, then confirm your identity: instantly with photo ID, or with a security code mailed within 10 business days.

Sources

North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.