Frequently Asked Questions

Current processing and delivery times vary by province or certificate type. In most cases, Regular Service is approximately 10 to 25 business days and Rush Service is approximately 5-8 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). Detailed delivery times will be listed on each application.

The number of certificates able to be ordered varies. Some provinces have no limit while others are restricted to only 1. Additional fees will apply for each additional copy.

Your maiden name is your last name at your birth.

Your mother’s maiden name is her last name at her birth.

If you have had a legal name change your original vital records would have been permanently changed either by yourself or the courts. Your new legal name is your new maiden name.

Taking your spouse's last name is not a legal name change and will not alter your original birth vital record.

An adoption alters the original birth vital record. For the Subject, use the new name if a new name was given at the time of adoption. For the Parent's, use the Adoptive Parent's names.

Birth Records

In most cases, copies of Birth records may only be obtained by the subject, mother, or father listed on the record. Birth records may be ordered up to 100-120 years ago depending on the province.

Marriage Records

In most cases, copies of marriage records may only be obtained by parties of the marriage. Marriage records may be ordered up to 75-100 years ago depending on the province.

Death Records

In most cases, death certificates are available to anyone requiring the certificate for a valid reason. Certified Copies of the Death Registration are typically restricted to Next of Kin. Detailed eligibility will be listed on each application. Death records may be ordered up to 70-100 years ago depending on the province.

If you are applying for a record to support a separate application such as obtaining a Passport or Native Status, it is important to check with the organization requesting the document to ensure you obtain the correct document type.

All records ordered through this website are certified.

Record types that are available to order vary by the province.

Birth

Family Information Birth Certificate

The document of choice for children 16 years of age and under, as it is generally required by government agencies, such as Passport Canada, SGI, Aboriginal Affairs, and for school registration. Includes the individual's full name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, registration number and registration date, PLUS the parents' full names and their province/state and country of birth.

Individual Information Birth Certificate

Includes the individual’s full name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, registration number and registration date and no information about the parents. This certificate may not be ideal for children 16 years of age and under, as many government agencies require the additional information contained on the Family Information certificate.

Certified copy of Birth Registration/Restricted Photocopy of Birth Registration

A certified photocopy of the original birth registration. Usually this cannot be used as identification but may be required for certain citizenship or immigration documents, if an individual becomes the executor for a foreign estate, or adopts a child.

Long Form Birth Certificate

For all provinces, except Ontario, the Family Information Certificate is considered the Long Form. Ontario's Long Form is a Certified Copy of the Original Registration.

Genealogical (birth)- Includes all of the information that appears on the original birth registration and is stamped "FOR GENEALOGY ONLY". A copy can only be ordered for births registered more than 100 years ago.

Marriage

Small Marriage Certificate (wallet size)- Includes the full names of each spouse, place of marriage, date of marriage, registration number and date of registration. (Available in select provinces.)

Large Marriage Certificate (framing)- Incudes the full name of each spouse, place of marriage, date of marriage, registration number and registration date. May or may not include birth places depending on the province of marriage.

Certified Copy of Marriage Registration/Restricted Photocopy of Marriage Registration- A certified photocopy of the original birth registration. Usually this cannot be used as identification but may be required for certain citizenship or immigration documents, if an individual becomes the executor for a foreign estate, or adopting a child.

Genealogical (marriage)- Includes all of the information appearing on the original marriage registration and is stamped "FOR GENEALOGY ONLY" and can only be ordered for marriages registered more than 75 years ago.

Death

Death Certificate- Includes the individual's full name, date of death, place of death, sex, registration number and registration date.

Certified Copy of Death Registration- A certified photocopy of the original death registration.

Genealogical Copy- Includes all of the information appearing on the original death registration, excluding cause of death and is stamped "FOR GENEALOGY ONLY" and can only be ordered for deaths registered more than 70 years ago.

Please Note: Cause of Death is not provided on the Certificate or the Registration, with the exception of the Nova Scotia Certified Copy of Death Registration. Only the Medical Certificate of Death provides cause.

CORRECTIONS:

Submitted incorrect information? Please email us as soon as possible at [email protected].

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS:

We are a service oriented business, committed to the highest quality in customer service. We cannot provide refunds or cancel an application for any of our services as all vital record applications are reviewed and processed upon receipt. However, in some cases we do make exceptions to this policy.

Pricing varies based on province, certificate type and shipping method chosen. Please see the individual application.

Required information varies by province and certificate type. In most cases required fields are indicated with a red *. If you cannot obtain the required information, you will need to discuss this with the provincial vital records office responsible for issuing the certificate.

Please contact us at [email protected] to obtain an update on your order.

Depending on the province and/or certificate type the Requestor of the certificate may be required to print and sign the authorization form. In other circumstances an e-signature will be required to order the certificate. Certain provinces vital statistics departments require the signed authorization for Vital Certificates to order the certificate on the requestors behalf.

Depending on the province and certificate type the Requestor of the certificate may be required to provide copies of identification (as proof of identity) and/or other documents (to prove entitlement to order the certificate) by scan and email, fax or mail. In some situation there will be an option to Upload the ID and/or documents.

Disclaimer

This site is available for use by the general public and legal profession to obtain government approved and official certificates issued by the government agency. We act as agents for expediting vital certificate applications. We are not affiliated with any government agency. Vital certificates and forms may be ordered from the relevant government agency for free or a lesser cost.