Ontario Birth Certificate Information
Apply for your newborn’s birth certificate online
OR
Replace your Ontario birth certificate online
If the birth happened outside Ontario and within Canada, please contact the Vital Statistics Office in the province or territory where the birth took place.
If the birth occurred in another country, please contact the country where the birth took place.
How much does a birth certificate cost?
How can I pay?
How long will it take?
What if I need it a birth certificate in a hurry?
What is the difference between short form and long form birth certificates?
Am I entitled to apply for the birth certificate?
Do I have a valid guarantor?
How much does a birth certificate cost?
- first birth certificate (short form —2.5" x 3.75") $25
- replacement birth certificate (short form) $35
- first certified copy of birth (long form — 8.5" x 14") $35
- replacement certified copy of birth (long form) $45
- Other fees
How can I pay?
You can pay online by VISA, MasterCard,American Express or Interac® Online. If you are mailing in your application, you can pay by cheque, money order or credit card.
How long will it take?
Provided that the birth is registered, it should take:
- online service — 15 business days (including delivery)
- premium online service — (Online Only) 5 business days (including delivery) plus $30 surcharge
- fax or regular mail service — 6 to 8 weeks plus delivery
- expedited service — 10 days plus delivery
What if I need a birth certificate in a hurry?
As long as the birth is registered and you have proof of urgency:
- 2 days plus delivery and $30 surcharge
You MUST apply in person at the Toronto Office.
What is the difference between short form and long form birth certificates?
A short form is an extract of information from the original birth registration. It is useful as basic identification.
A long form is a certified copy of the birth registration and is needed when you are:
- Moving to another country
- An executor for a foreign estate
- Are adopting a child abroad
- Filling out certain citizenship or immigration documents
Am I entitled to apply for the birth certificate?
You are entitled to apply:
- If the birth took place in the province of Ontario.
- If the application is for your own birth certificate and you are at least 13 years old.
- If the application is for your child’s birth certificate and you are named as a parent on your child’s original birth registration.
- If you are the legal guardian of a child and you can provide court documents proving that you have custody of the child.
- If you are the next-of-kin, executor or estate administrator, and the person named on the certificate is deceased. You must provide proof of death, (e.g., a death certificate or a funeral director’s statement of death, and any other documentation requested by the Office of the Registrar General). You will only be able to obtain a long form (certified copy) of a birth certificate. Short form birth certificates will not be issued for a deceased person.
The Office of the Registrar General maintains birth registrations for 95 years. For records older than this, please contact the Archives of Ontario.
Do I have a valid guarantor?
If you are applying for a birth certificate for an individual nine years of age or older you need a guarantor.
A guarantor is a Canadian citizen and someone who has known you (the applicant) personally for at least 2 years, and is currently serving in or a practicing member in good standing of a profession from this guarantor’s list.
The role of the guarantor is to certify that information provided on a birth certificate application is as complete and accurate as possible. If required, a qualified guarantor must also be available to verify the information with the Office of the Registrar General.
