If you were born in Alberta, your birth certificate is your official proof of birth, and it’s something you’ll likely need at some point, whether it’s for a passport, school registration, government ID, or other services. Whether you’re a new parent applying for your baby’s first certificate or just replacing a lost one, it’s important to understand how to get a birth certificate with personal information in Alberta, how long it takes, what it costs, how to request a replacement, and more.

 

Getting a New Birth Certificate in Alberta

If you have a new baby, congratulations! One of the first things you’ll need to do is register their birth. In Alberta, all births must be officially registered with Vital Statistics before you can get a certificate. Once that’s taken care of, you can apply for the birth certificate with personal information. Here’s how to get one for a newborn, or for someone who’s never had a birth certificate before.

Register the Birth

After your child is born in Alberta, the birth must be registered with the provincial government. Most hospitals or midwives send a confirmation of birth to Alberta Vital Statistics, and parents provide the baby’s information through the Online Birth Registry. On average, it takes approximately 3 weeks for the registration of birth to be recorded, provided all information is submitted correctly.

A birth certificate cannot be issued until the registration of birth has been recorded in the system. You have up to one year from the date of birth to complete a regular registration. After one year, a special delayed registration of the birth process is required.

If an older person or a child has not been registered, they will need to go with a delayed registration. Delayed registrations take longer to process because Vital Statistics must verify the documents, which involves additional steps and proof of birth. Therefore, it’s best to register within the first year if possible. There may be follow-up questions or requests for more evidence during the delayed registration process.

It’s also important to note that there is a slightly different process for unassisted births, especially those when the child has not been to the hospital within 48 hours of birth. Check with Vital Statistics for recommendations on your specific scenario if it falls outside the norm.

Apply for the Birth Certificate

Once the birth is registered, you can request an official birth certificate for your child. If you use the Online Birth Registry at the time of registration, you’ll have the option to order a birth certificate online as part of that process. Many new parents take advantage of this by simply checking that option and paying the fee during the online registration.

If you did not order a birth certificate during the initial birth registration, the process to get one later is essentially the same as requesting a replacement (explained in detail below). You’ll need to submit the form through an Alberta registry agent office. The form will request details about the person whose birth certificate is required (baby’s name, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ names, etc.) and the applicant’s information.

In Alberta, only eligible applicants can request an application for a birth document form. Typically, this means the person named on the certificate (if they are old enough, usually 12 or older) or their parent/guardian. For a newborn, the parent(s) listed on the birth record would be the ones to apply for the certificate. If you’re an adoptive parent or there are special circumstances, ensure the birth record reflects your status as the person adopting or consult Vital Statistics for the proper process.

Types of Birth Certificates in Alberta

In Alberta, there are two types of certificates you can order: one shows only basic personal information, and the other includes parental information (often called the long-form birth certificate). The basic birth certificate, which includes personal information, contains the individual’s name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and registration details. The parentage birth certificate includes all of that, plus the names of the parent(s) and their places of birth.

Both are official legal documents, but the one you choose depends on what you need it for. The basic certificate with personal information is often enough for general identification purposes, such as school registration or a local ID. The parentage certificate is typically required for applications that require proof of parental relationship, such as when applying for a child’s passport, certain government benefits, or immigration documents. When in doubt, the parentage version is the more versatile choice.

Replacing a Lost or Damaged Birth Certificate

If you already had an Alberta birth certificate but it was lost, stolen, or damaged, the process to get a replacement is very similar to getting a new one. Essentially, you are requesting a new copy of the birth certificate from Vital Statistics. Here’s how Alberta residents can obtain a replacement Canadian birth certificate (for births registered in Alberta).

Complete the Application Form

Fill out the Application for Birth Documents form with the required details of the person whose certificate you need to replace. This is the same form used for all birth certificate requests, whether for a new or replacement certificate. Ensure that the person applying is eligible to do so.

In Alberta, only certain people are allowed to apply for a replacement birth certificate for someone who is still alive. The person named on the birth certificate can apply for their own copy, as long as they are at least 12 years old.

If the person is under 18, a parent listed on the original birth record or a legal guardian can make the request on their behalf. In some cases, someone with legal authority, such as power of attorney or a court order, may also apply.

Another option is for someone to apply with written consent from the individual named on the certificate. In all situations, the applicant must provide valid government-issued photo ID and may be asked to show proof of their relationship or authority to apply.

For example, if you are replacing your child’s birth certificate, you, as the parent (as listed on the birth record), are an eligible applicant to sign the form. You will also need a government-issued photo ID to verify your identity when submitting the application, so please have that ready (e.g., driver’s license or passport).

Submit Your Application Inside Alberta

The next step is to submit the completed form and required identification through the proper channels. In Alberta, applications for birth certificates and other Vital Statistics services are not submitted directly to the government. Instead, they must go through authorized registry agents.

These are private businesses, often registry offices, that the government licenses to provide services like birth certificate applications, driver’s licences, vehicle registration, and more.

Some of these registry offices are independent businesses, while others operate through larger organizations like the Alberta Motor Association (AMA). If you’re an AMA member, you can access Vital Statistics services through their locations as well.

You’ll show your ID and sign the form there, and the registry agent will process your request.

If You Are Outside of Alberta

If you are outside Alberta (for example, if you moved to another province or are temporarily out of the country) and you cannot directly use an in-person registry, you can still apply by mail. In that case, you will need to have your identity verified by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths, who will witness a Statutory Declaration form for proof of your identity.

You then mail the application form, plus the notarized statutory declaration and payment, to an authorized service provider in Alberta. You can use Registry Connect or the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) to handle mail-in applications. Just remember, if you mail in your application, the forms can’t be photocopies, the forms must have original signatures and notarization.

Receiving the Replacement Certificate

After your application is submitted (either by the registry agent or via mail), it will be sent to Alberta Vital Statistics for processing. Under normal circumstances, once Vital Statistics receives your request and the birth is already registered, they process the application within approximately three business days.

The new certificate is then printed and mailed out to the address you provided. Delivery by regular mail to your home is the default and comes at no extra charge. However, if you prefer to pick up the certificate in person, you can arrange that through the registry when you apply. Some registry offices offer pickup call box services for an extra fee, or you can have it sent to a government office for pickup at no charge. Please note that only the person who applied can pick up the document (you’ll need to show your ID), unless you have officially authorized someone else in writing.

For a replacement, the certificate you receive is identical to an original one. There’s no special label indicating it’s a duplicate. It will be a certified copy of the birth record with the same information as the original certificate. If the lost certificate ever turns up, it’s best to destroy it or keep it in a safe place, since only one is needed for use. Also, note that altering or laminating Vital Statistics documents makes them invalid.

Getting a Birth Certificate for a Deceased Person in Alberta

If you’re requesting a birth certificate for someone who has passed away, the process is similar to applying for a replacement certificate. However, there are additional requirements around eligibility and documentation. In most cases, you must be a next of kin, such as a spouse, parent, sibling, or child of the deceased. You can also apply if you are the person’s executor, administrator, trustee, or a legal representative acting on behalf of one of these individuals. If you’re not directly eligible but have written authorization from someone who is, you may still be able to apply.

Along with your application, you may be asked to provide proof of death, such as a death certificate, and documentation that confirms your relationship to the deceased, especially if the death occurred recently.

For individuals who died many decades ago with registered births, their historical records will be held with the Provincial Archives of Alberta instead. So, if you are looking for a parentage photocopy of someone who was born 120 years ago or more, their birth documents will be stored in the archives, and must be obtained there.

Fees and Timeline

For most applications, including new and replacement birth certificates, you can expect to receive your Alberta birth certificate within 7 to 10 business days (about 1–2 weeks). Vital Statistics typically processes requests within three business days, and regular mail adds a few more days. The standard cost is quite moderate.

If you need your certificate sooner, rush processing is available for an additional fee. With this option, certificates can be ready faster and are typically delivered by courier or made available for pickup. Please note that processing times only begin once your application is complete and the birth has been officially registered.

Remember to keep your birth certificate in a safe place once you receive it, it’s a key identity document that may be needed throughout your life. If you ever require additional copies or need to make legal updates like a name change or correction, be sure to follow the proper steps to keep your records accurate and up to date.

At DLegal Law Office, we’re here to support you through every stage of life, from welcoming a new child to planning your estate. Whether you need help with birth certificates, family law matters, or long-term planning, our experienced team is ready to guide you with care and clarity. Reach out to DLegal Law Office today for trusted legal advice that grows with your family.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be considered legal or other professional advice. To get detailed information regarding your specific circumstances, please discuss your situation with a lawyer or other professional. Refer to our Legal Notice  for more details.