Overview
There is only one size of birth certificate. What varies is the amount of information it contains. The parent’s information may or may not be reflected, that is your choice. Various organizations may require one of the specific birth certificate styles.

All certificates are certified extracts of the original Registration of Birth.

Certificates and certified copies of birth records issued for a deceased person have a “Deceased” notation on them. This is in accordance with legislation and to protect the deceased from identity theft.

Altering and/or laminating Vital Statistics documents makes them invalid.

Historical records
The following must be applied for through the Provincial Archives of Alberta since they qualify as historical records (anyone may apply):

copies of Registrations of Birth 120 years old and older (from the date of birth)
copies of Registrations of Birth where the person (whose birth is registered) has been deceased for 50 years or more (proof of the death is required)
PDF form issues

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Types of documents issued
There are 3 kinds of birth documents you can order:

Birth Certificate with Personal Information Only
Birth Certificate with Personal Information and Parentage
Photocopy of a Registration of Birth
Birth Certificate with Personal Information Only
This birth certificate includes:

full name of the person
date of birth
place of birth
sex of the person
registration number
registration date
date issued
Sample: Birth Certificate with Personal Information Only (PDF, 6.3 MB)

Birth Certificate with Personal Information and Parentage
This birth certificate includes:

full name of the person
date of birth
place of birth
sex of the person
name of parent(s)
place of birth of the parent(s)
registration number
registration date
date issued
Sample: Birth Certificate with Personal Information and Parentage (PDF, 7.3 MB)

Photocopy of a Registration of Birth
This is a photocopy of the paper Registration of Birth completed at the time of birth.

A photocopy of a Registration of Birth usually includes:

full name of the person
date of birth
place of birth
sex of the person
name of parent(s)
place of birth of the parent(s)
registration number
registration date
A photocopy of a Registration of Birth cannot be used for identification.

A photocopy is generally used for genealogical, court or consulate purposes.

Eligibility
The following eligibility requirements apply to:

copies of Registrations of Birth that are not yet 120 years old
copies of Registrations where the person has not been deceased for 50 years or more
birth certificates, regardless of the person's age
Applicants for birth certificates and certified copies of Registrations of Birth
The following can order a birth certificate and certified copy of a Registration of Birth:

the person (whose birth is registered) when 12 years old or older
the person (whose birth is registered) when between 10 and 12 years old with the consent of their parent or guardian
complete the Consent for Minor Younger than 12 to Apply for Own Birth Certificate or Legal Change of Name Certificate (PDF, 150 KB) as part of your application
ensure the consent form is signed by a parent or guardian
the consent form (with an original signature) must be attached to the application form
if the consent is provided by a guardian, a copy of the guardianship order is required
a person younger than 10 years old cannot apply for their own birth certificate
the parent of the person in (1)/(2) as established by the person’s birth record or by a parentage order
the applicant must be named on the birth record or in the parentage order (as applicable)
a copy of the parentage order must be attached to the application (when applicable)
a guardian or trustee for a person in (1) to (3)
the applicant must be named in the guardianship order or trusteeship document
a copy of the legal document showing the applicant’s name must be attached to the application
a person adopting the person in (1)/(2)
the applicant must be named in the adoption document
proof of a pending adoption must be attached to the application (for example, a petition of adoption)
a person with a power of attorney for a person in (1) to (3)
the applicant must be named in the legal document
a copy of the legal document must be attached to the application
a person who is designated by a personal directive as an agent of a person in (1) to (3)
the applicant must be named in the personal directive document
a copy of the personal directive document must be attached to the application
a person with an Alberta court order that states the person is eligible to make the application
the order must be issued by a court in Alberta
the applicant must be authorized to make the application in the court order
the court order must have been issued within 1 year of the application
a copy of the order must be attached to the application
a lawyer for a person in (1) to (8) and (10) to (13)
a copy of a valid Law Society card must be attached to the application (this is in addition to the legislated ID requirement)
a letter from the lawyer advising who their eligible client is must be attached to the application
Applying for a birth document of a deceased person
The following can apply for the deceased person’s birth document

next-of-kin to the deceased person
proof of death must be provided to show the applicant is eligible in this category
proof of relationship must be attached to the application
an executor, personal representative or administrator for the estate of the deceased person in (1)/(2)
proof of death must be provided to show the applicant is eligible in this category
the applicant must be named in the will (or similar document)
a copy of the will (or similar document) must be attached to the application
a Public Trustee for the estate of the deceased person in (1)/(2)
proof of death must be provided to show the applicant is eligible in this category
the applicant must be named in the trusteeship document
a copy of the trusteeship document must be attached to the application
a relative of the deceased person in (1)/(2) when there are no living next-of-kin (described in (10) above)
proof of death must be provided to show the applicant is eligible in this category
proof of relationship must be attached to the application
When an eligible applicant does not have acceptable id to make the application, a designated agent may be used by a person in (1) to (7), (10), (13).

Next-of-kin
Next-of-kin includes:

parent
sibling
children
spouse
adult interdependent partner
Next-of-kin does not include:

in-laws
grandparents
grandchildren
step relatives
children of the siblings
Persons who have adopted or who have placed their child for adoption are not “next-of-kin” to biological relations.

Historic records
Anyone may apply for a copy of a person's historic Registration of Birth through the Provincial Archives of Alberta if:

120 years have passed from that person's date of birth, or
the person has been deceased for 50 years or more
Cost
There is a $20 government fee for each birth document ordered.

Registry agents, Registry Connect and AMA have additional service fees that will vary.

For the cost of a historic record through the Provincial Archives, contact the Provincial Archives of Alberta.

How to apply
Ordering a birth document from within Alberta
Step 1. Complete the application form
Application for Birth Documents (PDF, 346 KB)

Step 2. Drop off the application form
Take the completed application form and your acceptable ID to a registry agent.

Applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed.

Ordering a birth document from outside Alberta
Step 1. Complete the application form
Application for Birth Documents (PDF, 346 KB)

Step 2. Complete the statutory declaration form
Take the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity and your acceptable ID to a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.

Complete the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity (PDF, 40 KB) form in front of a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.

Step 3. Mail the application and statutory declaration form
Mail the original completed Application for Birth Documents form and the original completed Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity form to one of the following:

Registry Connect
AMA (Alberta Motor Association) – you must be a member
Photocopies and faxes are not accepted.

Applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed.

After you apply
Under normal circumstances, when an application has been completed correctly and there are no further requirements, documents are usually processed within 3 business days after the registry agent, Registry Connect or AMA (as is applicable) submits your request to Vital Statistics.

If information is missing or there are any discrepancies in information, your application may be delayed.

Delivery options for birth documents
By mail to the address provided on the application form – no extra charge
To the registry agent office or AMA (as is applicable) if they offer call box service. Arrangements must be made with them – a service fee may apply
To the Government call box in Edmonton or Calgary for emergencies only – no extra charge
Note: Documents cannot be picked up without acceptable ID. Documents will ONLY be released to the person who applied for them. If someone is picking up your document on your behalf, you must provide them with a written letter of authorization and they must provide their own acceptable ID. If you have used a Designated Agent, they will also require a letter of authorization to pick up your document. There are no exceptions.

Contact
Connect with the Service Alberta Contact Centre:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-7013 (Edmonton and area)
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-422-4225

For the deaf or hard-of-hearing:
TTY: 780-427-9999 (Edmonton and area)
Toll free TTY: 1-800-232-7215 (in Alberta)

Email: vs@gov.ab.ca