Order a birth certificate or document

Overview

There is only one size of birth certificate. What varies is the amount of information it contains. The parent’s information may or may not be reflected, that is your choice. Various organizations may require one of the specific birth certificate styles.

All certificates are certified extracts of the original Registration of Birth.

Certificates and certified copies of birth records issued for a deceased person have a “Deceased” notation on them. This is in accordance with legislation and to protect the deceased from identity theft.

Altering and/or laminating Vital Statistics documents makes them invalid.

Historical records

The following must be applied for through the Provincial Archives of Alberta since they qualify as historical records (anyone may apply):

• copies of Registrations of Birth 120 years old and older (from the date of birth)
• copies of Registrations of Birth where the person (whose birth is registered) has been deceased for 50 years or more (proof of the death is required)

Types of documents issued

There are 3 kinds of birth documents you can order:

• Birth Certificate with Personal Information Only
• Birth Certificate with Personal Information and Parentage
• Photocopy of a Registration of Birth

Birth Certificate with Personal Information Only

This birth certificate includes:

• full name of the person
• date of birth
• place of birth
• sex of the person
• registration number
• registration date
• date issued

Sample: Birth Certificate with Personal Information Only (PDF, 6.3 MB)

Birth Certificate with Personal Information and Parentage

This birth certificate includes:

• full name of the person
• date of birth
• place of birth
• sex of the person
• name of parent(s)
• place of birth of the parent(s)
• registration number
• registration date
• date issued

Sample: Birth Certificate with Personal Information and Parentage (PDF, 7.3 MB)

Photocopy of a Registration of Birth

This is a photocopy of the paper Registration of Birth completed at the time of birth.

A photocopy of a Registration of Birth usually includes:

• full name of the person
• date of birth
• place of birth
• sex of the person
• name of parent(s)
• place of birth of the parent(s)
• registration number
• registration date

A photocopy of a Registration of Birth cannot be used for identification.

A photocopy is generally used for genealogical, court or consulate purposes.

Eligibility

The following eligibility requirements apply to:

• copies of Registrations of Birth that are not yet 120 years old
• copies of Registrations where the person has not been deceased for 50 years or more
• birth certificates, regardless of the person's age

Applicants for birth certificates and certified copies of Registrations of Birth

The following can order a birth certificate and certified copy of a Registration of Birth:

1. the person (whose birth is registered) when 12 years old or older
2. the person (whose birth is registered) when between 10 and 12 years old with the consent of their parent or guardian
   • complete the Consent for Minor Younger than 12 to Apply for Own Birth Certificate or Legal Change of Name Certificate (PDF, 78 KB) as part of your application
   • ensure the consent form is signed by a parent or guardian
   • the consent form (with an original signature) must be attached to the application form
   • if the consent is provided by a guardian, a copy of the guardianship order is required
   • a person younger than 10 years old cannot apply for their own birth certificate
3. the parent of the person in (1)/(2) as established by the person’s birth record or by a parentage order
   • the applicant must be named on the birth record or in the parentage order (as applicable)
   • a copy of the parentage order must be attached to the application (when applicable)
4. a guardian or trustee for a person in (1) to (3)
   • the applicant must be named in the guardianship order or trusteeship document
   • a copy of the legal document showing the applicant’s name must be attached to the application
5. a person adopting the person in (1)/(2)
   • the applicant must be named in the adoption document
   • proof of a pending adoption must be attached to the application (for example, a petition of adoption)
6. a person with a power of attorney for a person in (1) to (3)
   • the applicant must be named in the legal document
   • a copy of the legal document must be attached to the application
7. a person who is designated by a personal directive as an agent of a person in (1) to (3)
   • the applicant must be named in the personal directive document
   • a copy of the personal directive document must be attached to the application
8. a person with an Alberta court order that states the person is eligible to make the application
   • the order must be issued by a court in Alberta
   • the applicant must be authorized to make the application in the court order
   • the court order must have been issued within 1 year of the application
   • a copy of the order must be attached to the application
9. a lawyer for a person in (1) to (8) and (10) to (13)
   • a copy of a valid Law Society card must be attached to the application (this is in addition to the legislated ID requirement)
   • a letter from the lawyer advising who their eligible client is must be attached to the application

Applying for a birth document of a deceased person

The following can apply for the deceased person’s birth document

10. next-of-kin to the deceased person
    • proof of death must be provided to show the applicant is eligible in this category
    • proof of relationship must be attached to the application
11. an executor, personal representative or administrator for the estate of the deceased person in (1)/(2)
    • proof of death must be provided to show the applicant is eligible in this category
    • the applicant must be named in the will (or similar document)
    • a copy of the will (or similar document) must be attached to the application
12. a Public Trustee for the estate of the deceased person in (1)/(2)
    • proof of death must be provided to show the applicant is eligible in this category
    • the applicant must be named in the trusteeship document
    • a copy of the trusteeship document must be attached to the application
13. a relative of the deceased person in (1)/(2) when there are no living next-of-kin (described in (10) above)
    • proof of death must be provided to show the applicant is eligible in this category
    • proof of relationship must be attached to the application

When an eligible applicant does not have acceptable id to make the application, a designated agent may be used by a person in (1) to (7), (10), (13).

Next-of-kin

• Includes: parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, child, step-child, spouse, and partner.
• Does not include: grandchild, grandparent, in-law, child of a sibling (niece/nephew), and relative.
• Does not include any kind of ex; for example, ex-spouse, ex-partner, ex-step parent, ex-step child, etc.

A person who has been adopted or placed their child for adoption is not next of kin to biological relations.

Historic records

Anyone may apply for a copy of a person's historic Registration of Birth through the Provincial Archives of Alberta if:

• 120 years have passed from that person's date of birth, or
• the person has been deceased for 50 years or more

Cost

There is a $20 government fee for each birth document ordered.

Registry agents, Registry Connect and AMA have additional service fees that will vary.

For the cost of a historic record through the Provincial Archives, contact the Provincial Archives of Alberta.

How to apply

Ordering a birth document from within Alberta

Step 1. Complete the application form

Application for Birth Documents (PDF, 346 KB)

Step 2. Drop off the application form

Take the completed application form and your acceptable ID to a registry agent.

Applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed.

Ordering a birth document from outside Alberta

Step 1. Complete the application form

Application for Birth Documents (PDF, 346 KB)

Step 2. Complete the statutory declaration form

Take the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity and your acceptable ID to a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.

Complete the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity form (PDF, 84 KB) in front of a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.

Step 3. Mail the application and statutory declaration form

Mail the original completed Application for Birth Documents form and the original completed Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity form to one of the following:

• Registry Connect
• AMA (Alberta Motor Association) – you must be a member

Photocopies and faxes are not accepted.

Applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed.

After you apply

Applications received through a registry agent, AMA or Registry Connect (as is applicable) are sent to Vital Statistics for processing. Under normal circumstances, when the birth is registered and the application has been completed correctly, the application is processed by Vital Statistics within 3 business days of its receipt. This 3-day period does not include mailing/delivery time.

If information is missing or there are any discrepancies in information, your application may be delayed.

Delivery options for birth documents

• By mail to the address provided on the application form – no extra charge
• To the registry agent office or AMA (as is applicable) if they offer call box service. Arrangements must be made with them – a service fee may apply

Note: Documents cannot be picked up without acceptable ID. Documents will ONLY be released to the person who applied for them. If someone is picking up your document on your behalf, you must provide them with a written letter of authorization and they must provide their own acceptable ID. If you have used a Designated Agent, they will also require a letter of authorization to pick up your document. There are no exceptions.

Contact

Connect with the Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Contact Centre:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-7013 (Edmonton and area)
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-422-4225

For the deaf or hard-of-hearing:
TTY: 780-427-9999 (Edmonton and area)
Toll free TTY: 1-800-232-7215 (in Alberta)

Email: [email protected]