Birth Certificate: Am I entitled to Apply for the Birth Certificate?
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.
Important Information
Birth certificates can only be issued for births that occurred in Ontario.
The event must be registered with the province. (Service Times)
Birth certificates are issued using the information from the original Statement of Live Birth, completed by the parent(s) at the time of birth.
Not more than one certificate and one certified copy (long form) will be issued. Check which one you need before you apply.
The Office of the Registrar General maintains birth registrations for 95 years. For records older than this, please contact the Archives of Ontario.
