Order certificates and copies

Use this page to order certificates, register some vital events and download Vital Statistics forms for births, adoption, marriage, death, wills, legal changes of name, and genealogy.

On this page

Order certificates or register an event

Online

You can complete these requests online:

Pay using a Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card.

Not all requests are available online. For any other request, use a paper form.

If someone asks for a long-form birth certificate, you usually need to order a 'Birth Certificate with Parental Information'. You often need this for a child’s passport, immigration or citizenship.

In person

Visit a Service BC counter to get forms and submit them.

By mail

To apply by mail, download the application form below for the following events:

You can pay with a money order, cheque, or credit card information.

Mail your application to:

Vital Statistics Agency
PO BOX 9657 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC V8W 9P3

Popular forms

Download forms

Most of the forms on this page are fillable, which means you can type your information directly onto the form before printing it.

To complete and submit your form:

  1. Download a form by clicking on its title. You need Adobe Reader to fill out the form
  2. Print: Check your form for spelling errors and missed fields before printing it. This helps us process your application more easily and gives you quicker service
  3. Submit your application with the appropriate fee:

These forms are for British Columbia vital events only.

 Forms by event type

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Birth forms

 
Form number Birth form details

VSA 430B

Birth certificate

Order a birth certificate or certified copy of a birth registration for a person born in B.C.

VSA 434D

Declaration of Particulars Certificate

Order a Declaration of Particulars Certificate for your adult child. This certificate lists birth details but cannot be used as identification.

VSA 404B

Register unattended birth

Checklist to register a B.C. birth when no doctor, nurse practitioner or registered midwife was present.

VSA 410B

Lost or stolen birth certificate

Cancel a B.C. birth certificate that was lost or stolen.

VSA 413

Birth certificate for deceased

Apply for the birth certificate of a person who was born in B.C. but is now deceased.

VSA 796

Add father to birth certificate

Add paternity information to a B.C. birth registration with a court order.

VSA 411

Amend given name

Amend your own or your child's given name when you have proof the name was used before the person turned 12, or for a child under age 1.

VSA 412B

Correct birth registration

Correct mistakes made when completing a birth registration. Evidence is required to support the change.

VSA 409

Delayed birth registration

Register a B.C. birth more than one year after the child was born, and for whom Vital Statistics did not receive a Notice of Birth.

VSA 509A

Gender change - Age 12+

Change the gender designation on a B.C. birth certificate for a person aged 12 or older.

VSA 509C

Gender change - Age 11 or under

Apply to change the gender designation on a B.C. birth certificate for a child under 12. Submit this form with VSA 510P.

VSA 510P

Gender change confirmation - Age 11 or under

Have a physician or psychologist confirm a gender designation change for a child under 12 to change the gender designation on their B.C. birth certificate.
 

Adoption forms

 
Form number Adoption form details

VSA 433

Notification of court-granted adoption

When an adoption is granted by the Supreme Court of B.C., the Supreme Court Registry uses this form to notify Vital Statistics of the adopted person’s identification details.

Identification Particulars of Adopted Person (PDF, 1.7 MB)

VSA 630

Access adoption records

Persons adopted in B.C. who are 19 years of age or older and their biological parents can use this form to access the adoption record.

Application for Service Pertaining to an Adopted Person or Birth Parent (PDF, 1.2 MB)

VSA 631

No-contact declaration

Birth parents of a person adopted in B.C., or an adopted person 18 years of age or older who does not want the other party to make contact.

No-Contact Declaration and Statement Pertaining to an Adopted Person or Birth Parent (PDF, 1.2 MB)

VSA 632

Prevent release of identifying information (veto)

An adoptee or birth parent of an adoptee that is 18 or over and adopted before November 1996 can use this form to prevent Vital Statistics from identifying them if the adoption order information is requested.

Disclosure Veto and Statement Pertaining to an Adopted Person or Birth Parent (PDF, 1.3 MB)

VSA 633

Cancel a veto or no-contact declaration

Cancel a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration that you filed with Vital Statistics.

Rescind a Disclosure Veto or No-Contact Declaration Pertaining to an Adopted Person or Birth Parent (PDF, 812KB)

VSA 634 

Declaration for adoption record access

Vital Statistics will notify you that you need to complete this declaration if you request access to an adoption record with which a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration has been filed.

Statutory Declaration and Undertaking Pertaining to a No-Contact Declaration as filed under the Adoption Act (PDF, 1.3 MB)
 

Marriage forms

 
Form number Marriage form details

VSA 430M

Marriage certificate

Apply for a marriage certificate or registration photocopy for a marriage that took place in B.C.

VSA 715

Consent for a minor to marry

You are the parents or guardians of a person under 19 who requires your consent to marry in B.C.

VSA 412M

Correct a marriage registration

Correct the information on your marriage registration.
 

Death and wills notice forms

 
Form number Form details

VSA 430D

Death certificate

Apply for a death certificate or certified copy of a death registration for a person who died in B.C.

VSA 413

Birth certificate for a deceased person

Apply for the birth certificate of a person who was born in B.C. but is now deceased.

VSA 412D

Correct a death registration

Correct errors on the death registration of a person who died in B.C.
VSA 430SB

Certificate of Remembrance for stillbirth

Apply for a certificate commemorating the stillbirth of a child. Stillbirth is the death of an unborn child after 20 weeks' pregnancy or after the fetus attains a weight of 500 g.

VSA 531

Register or update a wills notice

You have made a will or have changed the location where you store your will and want a record of its location registered with Vital Statistics.

VSA 532

Search for a wills notice

Find out whether a deceased person filed a Wills Notice with Vital Statistics indicating the location of their will.
 

Legal change of name forms

 
Form number Form details
VSA 529_adult

Adult legal name change

Adults (19+) applying for a legal change of name without a child

VSA 529

Child legal name change (18 and under)

Change the legal name of your child and/or your legal name

VSA 430N

Change of name certificate

Apply for a certificate documenting a legal change of name completed by you in B.C.

Note: Certificates are available for legal name changes only and not for name changes due to using a spouse’s surname after marriage

VSA 512

Court-ordered name change notification

The B.C. Supreme Court registry uses this form to notify Vital Statistics of court-ordered legal changes of name.
 

Genealogy forms

 
Form number Genealogy form details

VSA 013

Genealogy certificate

Genealogical research to order copies of your own birth or marriage registration, or an ancestor’s birth, marriage or death registration.

VSA 430G

Genealogical marriage search

Request that Vital Statistics search B.C. marriage records from your 15th birthday until the current date and provide a certificate stating the search results.
VSA 797

Historic birth record

Request a copy of a birth record that is listed on the BC Archives website index but that is not currently available on microfilm.
VSA 797D

Historic death record

Request a copy of a death record that is listed on the BC Archives website index but that is not currently available on microfilm.
VSA 798

Historic marriage record

Request a copy of a marriage record that is listed on the BC Archives website index but that is not currently available on microfilm.
 

Statutory declaration form

 
Form number Additional form details

VSA 607 

Statutory declaration

If Vital Statistics requests that you submit a statutory declaration with an application, fill out this form.

 

Processing times and delivery

All standard certificates, certified photocopies and certified extracts are printed in Victoria. They are delivered by mail or courier, depending on the service you choose.

Processing times for all other forms and requests vary.

For example:

  • Legal name changes can take about 24 weeks to process
  • Genealogical certificates print within 20 business days, plus mailing time from Victoria to you

Processing times are a guide only. Missing or incorrect information may delay your request.

Regular service by mail

  • Certificates print in 2 to 5 business days, plus mail delivery time
  • Certified photocopies and certified extracts print within 20 business days, plus mail delivery time

Courier delivery

Courier delivery is available for certificates, certified photocopies and certified extracts:

  • Documents print on the next business day after we receive your request
  • Delivery costs $60
  • Delivery is provided through Canada Post Priority
  • Delivery is not available on weekends or holidays

Courier deliveries require a signature. If no one is available to sign, Canada Post will leave a delivery notice with instructions for pickup at your local post office. The applicant must show identification before the post office will release the document. Canada Post will leave a delivery notice instead of attempting delivery for apartment complexes, homes that use Super Box mailboxes, and basement suites.

Fee schedule

Fees are in Canadian dollars.

Fee schedule
Category Service / Item Mail Courier Flat Fee
Certificates Birth, death, marriage, or change of name certificate $27 $60 —
Certified Copies Certified registration copy or extract $50 $60 —
Genealogy Genealogy certified copy or extended search — — $50
Commemorative Commemorative birth certificate — — $50
Marriage Services Marriage licence — — $100
  Civil marriage (includes GST) — — $78.75
Change of Name Change of name application (includes 1 certificate) — — $137
  Additional person under 19 on adult application — — $27
Searches and Corrections Search of records (per 3‑year period) — — $27
  Registration change or correction — — $27
Wills Services Wills notice: register, change, or revoke — — $17
  Wills search (one name) $20 $53 —
 
  • Alias name search (per alias)
 — — $5
 
  • BC Online handling fee (will)
 — — $1.50
Additional Fees Witnessing signatures / certifying documents — — $17
  NSF cheque fee — — $30

 

Each province and territory in Canada maintains its own vital event records.

If you're looking for records from outside B.C., contact the Vital Statistics office in the province or territory where the event occurred.

Phone or Email:

Mailing Address:

PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9P3