Vital Statistics

Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics Online Welcome to one million new possibilties in searching for your Nova Scotia roots! Births 1864-1877 Marriages 1763-1932 Deaths 1864-1877, 1908-1957 www.novascotiagenealogy.com

As of March 2008, the following Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics records are held by Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management

As of April 2008, the following Nova Scotia Vital Statistics records are held by Vital Statistics, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations

Inquiries about these records and requests for copies
of them must be made directly to
Vital Statistics, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations

Background

Civil registration of vital statistics began in Nova Scotia in 1763 with the introduction of procedures for obtaining a marriage licence; the procedure was optional and the records are incomplete. Formalized registration of births, deaths and marriages began in 1864 and continued to 1877, at which time record-keeping lapsed for births and deaths, but continued for marriages. Compliance was not universal during this period and there are gaps in the surviving records. Since 1 October 1908, birth, death and marriage registrations have been collected and maintained continuously.

Responsibility for collecting and maintaining active records lies with
Vital Statistics, a branch of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.
Click here for information about this office.

Responsibility for preserving and providing access to inactive records lies with Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management.Click here for archival information about the Deputy Registrar General's Office (now called Vital Statistics) and its responsibilities.

Release Policy

A new records schedule developed by Vital Statistics for birth, marriage and death registrations has shortened their active life and accelerated their transfer to Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management for permanent archival preservation and public access.

According to this new schedule, records become inactive and are transferred annually to the Archives as follows:

• Births: 100 years after the end of the year in which the birth was registered
• Marriages: 75 years after the end of the year in which the marriage was registered
• Deaths: 50 years after the end of the year in which the death was registered

Upon arrival at NSARM, the records are microfilmed to archival quality standards to ensure their security and preservation, then digitized for integration into Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics Online at www.novascotiagenealogy.com. While these activities are underway the records are open, but not available for direct public access and use. Instead, NSARM offers a fee-based search-and-copy service, provided by staff to meet the information needs of researchers and the general public. Please contact us for more details.