Hours:   8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except Holidays)

How to apply

1) You can apply at the Vital Statistics office in Halifax (see address above).  This is the ONLY way to get a certificate immediately.

2) You can submit your application online; it will be processed within the next 10 business days, and then the certificate will be mailed to you.  (You need a Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card to apply online.)

3) You can apply by mail.

4) You can apply at any Access Nova Scotia Centre, or any Registry of Motor Vehicles office.

A convenient application form is available.  To get one:

1) download a form for a Birth Certificate; or 
2) call the number listed above and press 2 to talk to a customer service representative, who can have one mailed to you; or 
3) write or fax the Vital Statistics office listed above; or 
4) visit the Vital Statistics office in Halifax, or any Access Nova Scotia Centre, or any Registry of Motor Vehicles office.

The information you need to provide is explained under Additional Information, below.

1) mail or deliver it to the Vital Statistics office in Halifax (see address above);

2) take it to any Access Nova Scotia Centre or Registry of Motor Vehicles office.

In case of emergency, the certificate can be sent by courier to the applicant.  There is an additional charge of $20 for this service.

In person: 15 minutes

By mail: 10 business days
Provided that all the items that must accompany the application have been received
(Please allow several extra days for mail delivery.)

Payment:  

Payment at the Vital Statistics office:  cash, Interac debit card, Visa, Mastercard or American Express, or cheque or money order made out to the Minister of Finance.

Payment by Mail:  Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card or by cheque or money order made out to the Minister of Finance

Payment online:  Debit Card (Interac^® Online), or
Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card.

Note:  you can make payment online for previous requests, using "payment on account"

Payment by fax:  Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card.

1. Searches
   All certificate prices include a three-year search.
   
   A three-year search may be requested without a certificate (confirmation of event only) for $6.05
    
   
2. Restrictions:  Release of all birth certificates are subject to restrictions as set out in the Vital Statistics Act.
    
3. All certificates are issued in accordance with information on file and cannot be returned for refund.

(a) The short form birth certificate contains this information:

Full name and sex
date and place of birth
registration date & number, and date issued.

(b) The long form certificate contains all that information plus the names and birthplaces of both parents.

(c)  A certified copy of a birth record contains all the information in (b) plus additional details (for example, the name of the person who assisted at the birth, birth weight, etc.).

To get a Birth Certificate, you must know: the person's full name; place and date of birth; their father's full name and birthplace; and their mother's given and maiden names and birthplace.

If your original birth record contains any French characters or symbols on the registered names, please make sure they are clearly displayed on your birth certificate application form.

Who qualifies  to apply for a Birth Certificate:
Birth Certificates May be released to:
a) You, if the record pertains to your own birth;
b) Parents of a child;
c) A lawyer who specifically indicates they are working on behalf of "a" or "b" above, or a person on the written authorization of "a" or "b" above;
d) The executor/executrix or trustee of an estate; or
e) Guardian (copy of guardianship papers must be attached to this application).