Fee Increases - Please note, effective April 1st, 2008 a number of Vital Statistics fees have changed.
Short Form		Long Form
The short form death certificate contains the following information: surname and given name sex date of death age place of death date of registration registration number date of issue Cost of certificate . . . $28.84		The long form death certificate contains all the following information, if this information is contained on the death record. Genealogists please note: Older death records may not contain full information. surname and given name sex date of death place of death date of birth age place of birth residence occupation marital status name of spouse name of father name of mother name of attending physician name of funeral director disposition place of disposition name of informant address of informant relationship to deceased date of registration registration number date of issue Cost of certificate . . . $34.85

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.
     Death Certificate Application
     Death Certificate On-line Application

French Names
If the name of the deceased contains any French characters or symbols, please ensure they are clearly displayed on the 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 death certificate on-line.

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.