Obtaining official birth and marriage certificates is an important part of life in Canada, especially for immigrants who need these documents to prove their identity, obtain citizenship, apply for a passport, or complete other official procedures. The civil registration system in Canada is managed provincially, which means that each province and territory has its own procedures, requirements, and service fees. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the process of obtaining birth and marriage certificates, the different types of documents, the requirements for applicants, and practical tips for successfully obtaining these important documents.
Civil registration system in Canada
The Canadian civil registration system (Vital Statistics) is responsible for maintaining official records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Unlike the centralized system in some countries, in Canada, the responsibility for maintaining these records rests with the provincial and territorial governments. This means that procedures and requirements may differ between Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and other jurisdictions.
Vital Statistics Council for Canada
The Vital Statistics Council for Canada is an interjurisdictional advisory group composed of the heads of vital statistics departments of all provincial and territorial governments. The Council works to develop common approaches to the collection of vital statistics, the exchange of information, and the establishment of uniform standards across the country.
Birth certificates in Canada
Types of birth certificates
There are three main types of birth certificates in Canada, each serving different purposes:
1. Standard birth certificate (short form)
The standard certificate contains basic information:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Place of birth
- Registration number
- Date of registration
This type is recommended for persons aged 16 and older and can be used to obtain a driver's license, health card, or social insurance number.
2. Birth certificate with parental information (long form)
This certificate includes all the information on the standard certificate plus additional information about the parents:
- Parents' names
- Parents' places of birth
This type is often required for legal proceedings, immigration applications, or obtaining a child's passport.
3. Certified copy of birth registration
The most detailed document, containing all the information from the original birth registration, including:
- Parents' addresses at the time of birth
- Parents' marital status
- Additional registration information
This type is often required for complex legal proceedings or international citizenship applications.
Who can apply for a birth certificate
According to the Civil Status Statistics Act, an application for a birth certificate can be submitted by:
- The person named on the certificate
- The father or mother of the person, if they are under 19 years of age
- The guardian, if the parents are incapacitated
- A person with written permission from the authorized applicant
- An official of a provincial or federal government agency in Canada for official purposes
- Another person who can convince the registrar of the good faith of their request
Application process
Online application
Most provinces offer online services for ordering birth certificates. To apply online, you will need:
- Applicant's personal information: full name, address, telephone number
- Information about the person on the certificate: all names, surname, date of birth, gender, city of birth
- Information about the parents: names, dates and places of birth
- Guarantor (if the person is 9 years of age or older)
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard, or debit card
In person
You can apply in person at a Service BC, ServiceOntario, or similar provincial office. To do so, you must:
- Fill out the application on site or bring a completed form
- Provide documents proving your identity
- Pay the applicable fee
By mail
Send the completed application with payment by mail to the appropriate Vital Statistics office.
Cost and processing times
The cost of birth certificates varies by province:
Ontario:
- Regular service: $25 (15 business days plus shipping)
- Premium service: $45 (5 business days with courier delivery)
- Emergency service: $45 (5 business days, proof of urgency required)
Nova Scotia:
- Short form: $33
- Long form: $39.90
- Processing: 4-6 weeks
Getting married and obtaining a marriage certificate
Marriage license
Before getting married in Canada, you must obtain a marriage license. The license is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and can be used anywhere in the province where it was issued.
Requirements for obtaining a marriage license
- Personal presence: both partners must appear together at the registry office
- Identification documents: valid government-issued photo ID for each partner
- Documents regarding previous marriages: if either partner has been married before, they must provide the original divorce or death certificates of their former spouse
Acceptable identity documents
Alberta:
- Passport
- Driver's license
- Indian status card
- Canadian citizenship card
Ontario:
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- Driver's license
- Ontario photo card
- Canadian citizenship certificate
Marriage registration process
Obtaining a license
- Submitting an application: online or in person at the municipal office
- Submit documents: two pieces of identification for each partner
- Pay the fee: varies by municipality
- Obtain the license: one of the partners must pick up the license in person with photo ID
Wedding day
On the wedding day:
- The marriage license is given to the officiant
- The marriage registration form is completed and signed by the bride and groom, witnesses, and officiant
- The officiant keeps part of the license and sends the registration form to Vital Statistics within 48 hours
Obtaining a marriage certificate
After registering the marriage, you can order an official marriage certificate:
Online order
- Available for marriages registered in the relevant province
- Credit card required for payment
- Processing may take up to 8 weeks after marriage registration
In person
Go to the provincial registry office with the required documents and payment.
Cost and time frame
Nova Scotia:
- Short form marriage certificate: $33
- Long form marriage certificate: $39.90
- Processing: 2-3 months
Alberta:
- Marriage license: $40 plus registrar agent fees
- License validity: 3 months
Special cases and recommendations
Changing your name after marriage
In Canada, changing your surname after marriage is only a tradition, not a legal requirement. You can:
- Keep your surname
- Take your spouse's surname
- Combine both surnames (with or without a hyphen)
To change your documents, you must contact each organization separately with proof of marriage.
Historical records
Old records may have special requirements:
- Birth records over 120 years old are considered historical
- Records of deceased persons (more than 50 years after death) are also classified as historical
- Such records can be obtained through the Provincial Archives
Tips for immigrants
- Check the requirements: different organizations may require different types of certificates
- Order in advance: processing may take several weeks
- Keep originals: some procedures require original documents
- Translation of documents: foreign documents must be translated by certified translators
Conclusion
Obtaining birth and marriage certificates in Canada is an important process that requires an understanding of provincial requirements and procedures. Each province has its own specificities, but the general principles remain similar: the need to provide proper identification, fill out the appropriate forms, and pay the established fees. It is especially important for immigrants to plan ahead and ensure that all documents meet the requirements of Canadian institutions. Using online services can significantly speed up the process of obtaining these important documents, which will form the basis for further integration into Canadian society.