An individual or group of individuals (in the case of joint ownership) not previously issued a Nova Scotia master number, must visit a Registry of Motor Vehicles office (RMV) in person and show required identification before they can initiate any type of RMV transaction (for example, get a Driver's Licence or register a vehicle). Identification requirements do not apply to companies.

The following identification is required to be displayed by individuals, at an RMV office, prior to creating a Nova Scotia master number: (NOTE: If the name appearing on your proof of age document is not your current name (ie. maiden name), you must provide additional identification (ie. marriage certificate or change of name certificate from Vital Statistics)).

One of the following age verification documents:

• Birth Certificate (government issued only);
• Passport;
• Canadian Citizenship Card;
• Permanent Resident Card or Immigration Papers - Record of Landing;
• Driver's Licence;
• Certificate of Indian Status Card, or
• Nova Scotia Identification Card.

and two additional pieces of identification with the applicant's name and signature, such as (but not limited to):

• Foreign Driver's Licence;
• Credit Card;
• Bank Card;
• Vehicle Registration; and
• Health Card.

The term "Master Number" or "Client Master Number" refers to the number on your Driver's Licence or Vehicle Registration under the heading "Master".  For an individual, this 14-digit number is made up of
(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;
(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) ]