How to Get a Copy of a Canadian Birth Certificate
Birth certificates are issued by provincial and territorial vital statistics offices, not the federal government. You order online or by mail from the province where the birth was registered, pay $25–$50, and receive the certificate in 2–8 weeks. New parents register the birth first — the hospital does not do it for you.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Know which province holds the record
Birth records live with the vital statistics office of the province or territory where the birth was registered — not where you live now. Ontario: Service Ontario; BC: Vital Statistics Agency; Quebec: Directeur de l'état civil (Quebec issues "certificats" in French or English).
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- Fill / Prepare 20 min
Order online or by mail
Most provinces take online orders with credit card payment; mail applications need a form, photocopy of ID, and a cheque. First certificates (new births) are issued after the parents register the birth with the province — usually within 30 days of delivery via the hospital paperwork plus a provincial registration form.
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- Submit & Pay
Pay the fee
Fees run about $25–$50 per certificate depending on province, with express options costing more (Ontario premium service: 5 business days). Order 2–3 copies — passport applications, SINSocial Insurance Number — Your 9-digit Canadian work and tax number. You need it to work, open accounts, and receive benefits.Click for official info ↗ registration, and school enrolment each take one, and replacements cost the same again.
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- Wait 2–8 weeks
Wait for delivery
Standard processing: 2–8 weeks by province (Ontario ~15 business days, BC ~4 weeks, Quebec ~3 weeks for a certificate). Rush services cut this to days for a premium. Certificates arrive by mail to the address on the application.
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- Follow Up
Fix errors promptly
Check the certificate the day it arrives. Name spellings and parent details are the common errors — corrections require a statutory declaration and supporting documents, and the process is slower than the original order if you delay.
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- Receive
Use it for the document chain
The birth certificate is the foundation document: SINSocial Insurance Number — Your 9-digit Canadian work and tax number. You need it to work, open accounts, and receive benefits.Click for official info ↗ application for a child, passport application, provincial health card, and school registration all require it. Store it safely — it is a primary identity document and a target for identity fraud.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I was born abroad to Canadian parents. Can I get a Canadian birth certificate?
No — a birth certificate only exists for births registered in a Canadian province or territory. Born-abroad children of Canadian citizens get a proof of citizenship certificate from IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗ instead, which serves the same purpose for passports and SINSocial Insurance Number — Your 9-digit Canadian work and tax number. You need it to work, open accounts, and receive benefits.Click for official info ↗.
Can I order someone else's birth certificate?
Only if you are the person named, a parent (for a child), or otherwise entitled (executor, legal guardian) — provinces restrict access to protect against fraud. You must state your relationship and show your own ID; ordering records you are not entitled to is an offence.
My newborn's birth was never registered. What do we do?
Contact your provincial vital statistics office for a late registration. You will need proof of the birth (hospital records), both parents' ID, and possibly a statutory declaration. Late registrations beyond a year can involve extra verification — start as soon as you notice.
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