Fee Increases - Please note, effective April 1st, 2008 a number of Vital Statistics fees have changed.

Restrictions on who can apply for a birth certificate went into effect on February 15, 2002. Vital Statistics will issue a birth certificate only to the person named on the certificate, a parent or legal guardian or the administrator of the person's estate. An information sheet is available on-line; for more details, please contact Vital Statistics.

The short form birth certificate is the most frequently requested certificate, however, to ensure the correct certificate is obtained, please contact the organization that requires the birth certificate to determine if a short or long form birth certificate is required. It is used for school registration, passport, social insurance numbers, driver's licenses, etc.

Short Form		Long Form
The short form birth certificate contains the following information: surname and given name date of birth place of birth sex registration date registration number date issued		The long form birth certificate contains all the information of the short form birth certificate plus the parent's names and their birthplaces. The long form birth certificate contains the following information: surname and given name date of birth place of birth sex of child name of parents birthplace of parents registration date registration number date issued
Cost of certificate . . . $28.84 For married women, birth certificates are issued in their maiden name.		Cost of certificate . . . $34.85 For married women, birth certificates are issued in their maiden name.

Eligibility: Who qualifies for a birth certificate? (Effective February 15, 2002)

A) You, if the record pertains to your 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 for "A" or "B" above
E) Guardian (copy of guardianship papers must be attached to this application)

Application Forms
Forms for a certificate are available from the Vital Statistics Office by mail, telephone or in person. You may apply on-line or download an application form to request a certificate from our Form and Applications page or directly from the links below.
     Birth Certificate Application
     Birth Certificate On-line Application

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

How to Order a Certificate
In order to obtain a certificate you may contact us in person at our office, by Canadian Post mail, or you can drop off an application at any N.S. Registry of Motor Vehicle office or Access Nova Scotia office to be processed through the mail.  You may also request a birth certificate on-line.

After your application and the proper payment have been received by the Vital Statistics office in Halifax, the certificate will normally be processed within 10 business days (provided the birth/death/marriage has been registered, and no additional information is required), and sent to you by mail. Please allow additional days for postal delivery.

Paying for a Certificate

Payment Method:

1) Mail:

• Cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance
• Visa, Mastercard or American Express
  

2) Counter:

• Cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance
• Visa, Mastercard or American Express
• Interac Direct Payment
• Cash

3) Fax or On-Line:

• Visa, Mastercard or American Express

DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL

Searches
All certificate prices include a three-year search, a three-year search may be requested without a certificate (confirmation of event only) for $5.45. The search fee for genealogy is $16.30 for the first-three year period and $10.90 for any three-year period thereafter.

Certificates are issued in accordance with information on file and cannot be returned for refund.