Certified Copies and Certified Electronic Extracts of a Death Registration

Certified copies and certified electronic extracts of death registrations contain all of the information recorded at the time of the death. They are rarely needed except for personal records.

If you request a certified copy of a death registration, Vital Statistics will send you either a certified copy of the original death registration or a certified electronic extract. Both documents have the same purpose, but death registrations for deaths occurring after January 1, 2000, are computer-generated. Generally, death registrations copies and extracts are only required for court purposes.

Who Can Order a Certified Copy or Certified Electronic Extract of a Death Registration

If more than 20 years have passed since the date of the death, anyone can apply for a certified copy or a certified electronic extract of a death registration.

If fewer than 20 years have passed since the date of the death, only the following people can apply:

• a relative of the deceased on production of proof of relationship to the event. Applicants considered to be eligible are a mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, spouse, grandparent, or grandchild of the deceased. Acceptable proof of relationship includes a photocopy of a certified birth registration, a parental certificate and/or associated government-issued marriage certificates
• a medical practitioner who requires the copy of extract for use in the treatment of a member of the deceased's immediate family, if the family member's illness, in the opinion of the medical practitioner, may be life threatening
• a person who is authorized by a court order to be issued the copy or extract
• an officer of any provincial government or the government of Canada who requires the copy or extract for use in the discharge of official duties; or
• any other person who satisfies the registrar general

How to Order a Certified Copy or Certified Electronic Extract of a Death Registration

After you have confirmed that you are eligible to receive a certified copy or certified electronic extract of a death registration, you can apply in any one of the following ways:

By Mail

Send a completed Application for Death Certificate or Death Registration Photocopy/Extract (VSA 430d) form (PDF, 1.02MB) with payment to:

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

In Person

Bring a completed Application for Death Certificate or Death Registration Photocopy/Extract (VSA 430d) form (PDF, 1.02MB) with payment to any Service BC counter.

If more than 20 years have passed since the date of death:

• Anyone can order the death registration over the phone with a credit card
• The record becomes available online through BC Archives

Cost & Processing Times

Mail Delivery

$50 per certified death registration copy. Prints within 20 business days, plus mailing time from Victoria to you.

Courier Delivery

$60 per certified death registration copy. Prints the next business day, plus delivery courier delivery  time from Victoria to you.