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Births

Last updated on December 2, 2024

This section will tell you how to register your child’s birth, order birth documents, make changes to a birth record, and undertake genealogical research.

Birth Registration

Birth registration is the only way to create a permanent legal record of a person’s birth. Parents of children born in B.C. are required to register their child within 30 days of the birth. Learn everything you need to know about new registrations, changing existing registrations, and ordering registration photocopies.

Birth Certificates

Your birth certificate is your foundation identity document. You’ll need it to apply for other important documents like a social insurance number, driver’s licence, and passport. Learn about ordering original and replacement birth certificates, ordering commemorative birth certificates, and changing the gender designation on a birth certificate.

Stillbirth

Stillbirth is the loss of a baby after 20 weeks' pregnancy, or after the fetus has attained a weight of 500 grams. Parents who wish to commemorate the stillbirth of their child can apply for a Stillbirth Certificate of Remembrance.

Stillbirth Certificate of Remembrance

Online birth registration is the simplest way to register your child’s birth, and apply for a birth certificate, the Medical Services Plan for B.C. residents, Canada Child Benefits, and a Social Insurance Number.

Register your Newborn

You can order B.C. birth certificates and certified photocopies or extracts online with a credit card.

Order Certificates

Wondering which names have stood the test of time?

Check out the Most Popular Baby Names in B.C. for the last 100 years.

The Vital Statistics Agency registers birth events and issues birth documents and statistics for the Province of B.C. in accordance with the following Acts:

Phone:

Victoria: 250 952-2681
Toll-Free within B.C.: 1 888 876 1633

Email Vital Statistics

Mailing Address:

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

To complete transactions in person, find a Service BC location near you.