Ontario Birth Certificate Information

Apply for a birth certificate online

If the birth occurred outside this province:

• If the birth occurred outside this province and within Canada, please contact the Vital Statistics Office in the province or territory where the birth took place.

Or

• If the birth took place in another country, please contact the country that it occurred in.

Before applying for your Birth certificate please ask yourself:

• How can I apply?
• How much does a birth certificate cost?
• How can I pay?
• How long will it take?
• What type of birth certificate am I applying for?
• Am I entitled to apply for the birth certificate?
• Did the birth take place and is the birth registered in Ontario?
• Do I have a valid guarantor?
• Am I applying to replace a birth certificate?

Certificate applications are reviewed and necessary steps are taken to ensure that each application meets the processing requirements.  If information is missing or incorrect, it may delay the processing of your application.

The Office of the Registrar General will notify you by mail if there is a problem with your application.

To maintain privacy and security, the Office of the Registrar General does not provide information, including the status of an application, by e-mail. You may choose to call the Office of the Registrar General.   Please note that we are experiencing very high call volumes.  You may check the status of your birth certificate application online.

Delivery of Birth Certificates

If you request Expedited or Emergency Service, or if you have applied online and are eligible for a 5-day or 15-day service guarantee, your certificate will be sent by courier.  Someone will need to sign for the package at your mailing address if your certificate is delivered by courier.  If you have applied for Regular Service by mail, fax or in person, or if you have applied online but are not eligible for a service guarantee, your certificate will be sent to you by mail.

Sending in more than one Application

Please do not send in more than one birth certificate application for the same person.  All applications will be processed, however multiple certificates will not be issued. Sending multiple applications delays the processing of your applications, as all applications will need to be reviewed first.