Registration of Live Birth for Genealogical Research

Vital Statistics can provide you with the exact time and birth weight of a child if these were recorded when the birth was registered. We obtain this information from a search of Notices of Births (NOBs) available from 1944 to the present.

If the time of birth and weight are available, Vital Statistics provides them in a separate letter along with the Registration of Live Birth for Genealogical Research.

Note: Birth registration documents do not disclose any information concerning adoptions.


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Who Can Order a Registration of Live Birth for Genealogy?

The following people may order a Registration of Live Birth for Genealogy:

• you, if it is for your own birth registration
• anyone, if the birth record is for a person who has been deceased for 20 years or more and proof of death is produced
• anyone, if the record has been in existence for 120 years or more
• the closest living relative* of the person named, on production of proof of death and relationship; or
• anyone who has the written consent of an eligible person

* Closest living relative is defined as mother, father, son, daughter, spouse, sister, brother, grandparent, grandchild.

How to Order a Registration of Live Birth for Genealogical Research

After you have confirmed that you are eligible to receive a birth registration, you can apply in either of the following two ways:

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

Bring a completed Application for Genealogy Certificate (VSA 013) form (PDF, 796KB) with payment to any Service BC counter.

Cost & Processing Times

Mail Delivery

$50 per genealogy certificate. Prints within 20 business days, plus mailing time from Victoria to you.

Courier Delivery

Not available for the genealogy certificate.