Commemorative Birth Certificates

On December 1, 2009, the Vital Statistics Agency introduced its commemorative birth certificate collection. The collection offers 42 different styles to choose from; 36 are stylized regional scenes of B.C. from Carol Christianson’s mural "Splendid Diversity - 36 More Wonders of the World".

Certificates are 28 cm x 35.5 cm and are printed in full colour on acid-free fine art paper. As the certificates combine to create a single mural, by purchasing several commemorative certificates, it is possible to create a striking continuous display like the one shown below.

This mural combines three scenes:

04 - Long Beach - Vancouver Island	05 - Coastal Forest	06 - Elk - Coastal Forest

Note: Commemorative certificates cannot be used as official identification.

Who Can Apply for a Commemorative Birth Certificate

The following people may order a commemorative birth certificate:

• the person named in the birth event
• any parent whose name is listed on the birth registration
• a guardian with custody of the person named in the birth event (proof of court- recognized legal custody must be provided); or
• a person with the written consent of one of the eligible individuals listed above

Information Listed on the Commemorative Certificate

The following information is included on a commemorative birth certificate:

• Individual's Name in Full
• Date of Birth
• Time of Birth
• Birth Weight
• Place of Birth
• Sex*

*Note: Issuance of commemorative birth certificates with no sex displayed is not available at this time. To apply for an individual or parental birth certificate that does not display sex, please go to: Birth Certificates - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Note: Births prior to 1951 may not include the weight or time of birth.

Certificate Samples

Classic

37 - Classic Style

Newborn Series - 5 Background Colours

38 - Newborn White	39 - Newborn Yellow	40 - Newborn Green	41 - Newborn Pink	42 - Newborn Blue

36 Stylized Scenes of British Columbia

How to Order a Commemorative Birth Certificate

After you have confirmed that you are eligible to receive a commemorative birth certificate, you can apply in any one of the following four ways:

Online

Use the Vital Statistics Agency's secure online ordering service. A credit card is required.

By Mail

Send a completed Application for Genealogy Certificate (VSA 013) form (PDF, 796KB) with payment to:

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

In Person

Go to any Service BC counter. You do not need to fill out an application, but you will need to provide the customer service representative with the same details about the birth that are requested on the Application for Genealogy Certificate (VSA 013) form (PDF, 796KB). You will also need to provide payment.

By Phone

Call the Vital Statistics Agency at 250 952-2681 in Victoria or 1 888 876-1633 elsewhere in B.C. A credit card is required.

Cost

$50 per commemorative birth certificate delivered by regular mail
Courier service is not available for commemorative birth certificates.