Certified Copies and Certified Electronic Extracts of a Birth Registration

Birth registrations are not used as identification, but are a copy of the information provided at the time of a child’s birth printed on certificate paper and certified as a copy of the original information.

Birth registrations and extracts are usually requested for applications in court or to consulates when greater details about a child’s parents’ are required.

If you request a certified copy of a birth registration, Vital Statistics will send you a document similar to one of the documents shown below based on the year of birth. Both documents contain the same information, and have the same purpose, but birth registrations for births occurring after January 1, 2000, are computer-generated. Generally, birth registration copies and extracts are only required for court purposes. Neither can be used for identification.

Certified Copy of a Birth Registration

Issued for births occurring before January 1, 2000.

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Certified Electronic Birth Extract

Issued for births occurring after January 1, 2000.

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Note: When a birth registration contains an adoption notation, Vital Statistics issues an electronic extract of the birth registration regardless of the year of the event.

Who can order a certified copy or certified electronic extract of a birth registration?

Under the Vital Statistics Act, any of the following people can request a birth registration photocopy or extract:

• the person who is the subject of the registration
• a parent of the person who is the subject of the registration, regardless of the age or capability of that person
• a custodial guardian if a parent is not available
• anyone who has written authorization from a person listed in the three points above
• if the subject of the registration is deceased, the nearest living relative of that person upon proof of relationship and the death
• a person who requires the copy or extract to comply with section 32 (b) of the Adoption Act
• a medical health officer designated under the Public Health Act who requires the copy or extract for use in the discharge of official duties
• any person, if
  • the person who is the subject of the registration has been deceased for 20 years or more, or
  • more than 120 years have passed since the birth of the person; or
• any other person who satisfies the registrar general concerning the good faith of the person's cause for requiring the copy or extract

Note: In cases of adoption, the registrar general will provide the applicant with a copy of the requested record unless a party to the adoption has filed a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration. See Adoption – Disclosure Vetoes and No-Contact Declarations for more information.

How to Apply for a Certified Birth Registration or Extract

After you have confirmed that you are eligible to receive a birth registration or extract, 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 Birth Certificate or Registration Photocopy / Extract (VSA 430B) form (PDF, 299KB) with payment to:

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

In Person

Bring a completed Application for Birth Certificate or Registration Photocopy / Extract (VSA 430B) form (PDF, 299KB) with payment to any Service BC counter.

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 & Processing Times

Mail Delivery

$50 per certified birth registration or extract delivered by regular mail. Prints within 20 business days, plus mailing time from Victoria to you.

Courier Delivery

$60 per certified birth registration or extract delivered by courier. Prints the next business day, plus courier delivery time from Victoria to you.*

*Courier delivery time is dependent on a variety of factors, including the delivery destination. The document will not be received the same day that the application is processed.