Overview

When a child is born in Ontario, their birth must be registered with the Government of Ontario.

Once a child’s birth is registered, the parent(s) or guardian(s) may request a birth certificate for that child.

A birth certificate is a record of a birth that happened in Ontario. It is a government document that can be used as proof of identity.

You can order an Ontario birth certificate online, in-person (at the 47 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto or the 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa locations) or by mail.

Ontario birth certificates can only be issued for people whose births are/were registered in Ontario.

Types of birth certificates

There are 3 types of birth certificates you can order:

  1. a birth certificate
  2. birth certificate with parental information
  3. certified copy of birth registration

Note:       
We can only issue one of each type of birth certificate for a person. For security reasons, this means that if you or anyone who is authorized (e.g. a parent/guardian) orders a replacement certificate, the previously issued certificate is no longer valid.

Who can apply

You can apply for a birth certificate for:

  • yourself, if you are at least 13 years old
  • your child, if you are named as a parent on your child’s birth registration
  • a child, if you are the legal guardian and can provide court documents proving that you have custody of the child. If you are applying online, you will need to submit the supporting documentation together with a letter quoting the online order number by mail

If you require a birth certificate urgently, you can submit an urgent request.

If you are applying for a birth certificate for a person who is deceased, you can only get a certified copy of birth registration if you are the next of kin, executor or estate administrator (supporting documents are required).

Next of kin are:

  • parents
  • spouse or common-law partner
  • children, and
  • siblings

If all the next of kin are deceased, extended next of kin or their authorized representative may apply.

Extended next of kin are:

  • aunts
  • uncles
  • first cousins
  • grandchildren
  • grandparents
  • nephews, and
  • nieces

Birth certificate

A birth certificate is an extract of information from the original birth registration and includes:

  • name
  • date of birth
  • sex
  • birthplace
  • date of registration
  • registration number
  • date of issue
  • certificate number

This certificate is recommended for those 16 years of age and older and can be used to get other government documentation, such as:

  • adult’s passport in Canada
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Ontario driver’s licence
  • Ontario health card

Find out how much it costs and how long it takes to get a birth certificate.

Birth certificate with parental information

A birth certificate with parental information is an extract of information from the original birth registration and includes:

  • all of the information included in the birth certificate
  • the name(s) and place(s) of birth of the subject’s parent(s)

This certificate is recommended for newborns and children under 16 years of age where parental information is required. It can be used for the same identification purposes as a birth certificate with only subject information, but also for:

  • a child’s passport in Canada
  • child health insurance
  • Indian Status
  • certain immigration or citizenship applications

Find out how much it costs and how long it takes to get a birth certificate with parental information.

Certified copy of birth registration

When a child is born in Ontario, their parent(s) or guardian(s) must register their birth with the Government of Ontario. A certified copy of birth registration is a copy of the original registration and:

  • includes all details of the registration (for example, names of the parents)
  • is endorsed as authentic by the Office of the Registrar General
  • is printed on legal sized paper
  • contains a raised seal for security and verification purposes
  • contains any changes that have been made to the birth registration including any name changes and corrections of information (as a historical record)

You can use a certified copy of birth registration to apply for ID that requires more detailed information, such as:

  • adopting a child abroad
  • certain immigration or citizenship applications
  • visa applications

Find out how much it costs and how long it takes to get a certified copy of birth registration.

Cost and delivery

There may be delays as your order is processed due to higher than normal volumes of requests. We will do our best to complete your order in a timely manner and apologize for any inconvenience.

If you have an urgent request, please provide proof of urgency.

Payment options

Online

We accept Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard and Debit Mastercard.

In-person at 47 Sheppard Avenue East in Toronto

Cash, money order, Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Debit Mastercard and Interac® (personal cheques will not be accepted in-person).

Mail

Visa and Mastercard, personal cheques, money orders in Canadian dollars issued from a Canadian financial institution.

Canada Post strike       
Visit ontario.ca/Mail to learn about impacted programs and potential delays.

Birth Certificate with parental information

Service typeEstimated processing and deliveryCost
Regular service (online)

15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post

No service guarantee applies

$25
Premium service (online)Not available at this timeN/A
Replacement birth certificate with parental information

15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post

No service guarantee applies

$35

Birth Certificate

Service typeEstimated processing and deliveryCost
Regular service (online)

15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post

 

$25
Premium service (online)

5 business days including delivery by courier

 

$55
Emergency service (in-person at 47 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto)

5 business days including delivery by courier
(proof of urgency is required)

No Service guarantees apply

$55
Replacement regular (online): birth certificate

15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post

 

$35
Replacement premium (online): birth certificate

5 business days including delivery by courier

 

$65
Replacement emergency: birth certificate

5 business days including delivery by courier
(proof of urgency is required)

No Service guarantees apply

$65

Certified copy of birth registration

Service typeEstimated processing and deliveryCost
Regular service (online)

15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post

 

$35
Premium service (online)5 business days including delivery by courier$65
Emergency service (in-person at 47 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto)5 business days including delivery by courier
(proof of urgency is required)
$65
Replacement regular: certified copy of birth registration15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post$45
Replacement premium (online): birth certificate

 

5 business days including delivery by courier

 

$75
Replacement emergency: birth certificate

5 business days including delivery by courier (proof of urgency is required)

No Service guarantees apply

$75

Order online

To order online you will need:

  1. your first and last name or single name, mailing address, and phone number
  2. information about the person named on the birth certificate:
    • all given names, last name or single name, date of birth, sex, city of birth and other birth information
    • any previous legal names for the person named on the birth certificate (if applicable)
    • parents’ information (first names, last names or single names, dates of birth and places of birth)
  3. guarantor if the subject is 9 years and older
  4. a Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard or Debit Mastercard

 

 

There may be delays as your order is processed due to higher than normal volumes of requests. We will do our best to complete your order in a timely manner and apologize for any inconvenience.

If you have an urgent request, please provide proof of urgency.

Order a birth certificate online

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Order by mail or in-person

Apply by mail

  1. Download and complete the application form
  2. Send it by mail to:
    • ServiceOntario
      Office of the Registrar General
      189 Red River Road, PO Box 4600
      Thunder Bay, Ontario
      P7B 6L8

Apply in-person

At the following ServiceOntario centres:

Children under the age of 16

If you are the parent/guardian of a child under the age of 16, you only need the child’s birth certificate with parental information for most purposes, including a passport.

If you are applying for a passport, make sure to check with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a list of acceptable documents.

If you already have a certified copy of birth registration, it may be accepted. Please check with the ministry, government agency or the person requesting the document before you order.

Adoptive parents

When completing the application for a birth certificate, provide the names of the adoptive parents' and the current legal name of the adopted person.

You cannot apply for a birth certificate with parental information or a certified copy of birth registration unless the original birth registration has been replaced by a substituted birth registration.  Please contact the Office of the Registrar General at 807-475-1171 or 807-475-1180 for information about an application for substituted registration on adoption.

Deceased persons

If you’re ordering a birth certificate for a person who is deceased, you can only get a certified copy of birth registration.

When you order the certified copy of birth registration for a deceased person, you need to:

  • be the next of kin, executor or estate administrator
  • include a death certificate or a funeral director’s statement of death, and any other documentation requested by ServiceOntario

You may submit the application form with the supplementary documents to ServiceOntario:

  • by mail (all documents must be submitted together)
  • in-person (all documents must be submitted together)

You may also submit the application form online and mail the supplementary documents to ServiceOntario separately:

  • complete the online application
  • write down your online order number  
  • submit the documents by mail including the online order number

Please note: all of the documents you provide must be in French or English or translated by an accredited translator.

For more information, contact us

Change or don’t display sex designation

You can now change your sex designation on your birth registration to:

  • male (M)
  • female (F), or
  • non-binary (X)

You also have the option to request a birth certificate that does not display the sex designation field. This option does not change your birth registration.

Learn more about changing or not displaying sex designation.

Replace a lost, stolen or damaged birth certificate

To replace a lost, stolen or damaged birth certificate you can use the online application to order a replacement birth certificate.

Emergency service (5 business days including delivery by courier)

If you need the birth certificate within 5 business days, you can apply for either the:

Note: You must provide a printed proof of urgency to qualify for an emergency or expedited birth certificate.

The only location that accepts emergency service applications in person is the ServiceOntario location at Sheppard and Doris (Toronto).

Emergency service is not available for:

  • birth certificates with parental information
  • births under 16 weeks
  • births before 1930 (this may take up to 8 weeks to process)

Change or correct information on a birth registration/certificate

You can send a request to the Office of the Registrar General for a registration amendment application form to change information on a birth registration. The amended change will be reflected on any birth certificate or certified copy of the birth registration you apply for in the future. The birth must be currently registered in Ontario to make a change.

You can submit a request for a registration amendment form online or by phone, and the form will be mailed to you.

Order a birth search

If you’re looking for a birth record of yourself or of someone else, you can request a birth search.
When ordering a birth search you will need to provide either:

  • a range of years to be searched
  • a specific year

If you give us a specific year, we will conduct a five-year search two years prior and two years after the year you specified. You can request searches for longer periods of time for an additional fee of $15 for every five-year interval searched.

You will receive a letter in the mail confirming whether or not a birth is registered that matches the criteria you provided, for the years searched. This letter:

  • confirms whether or not a birth is registered
  • cannot be used as an identity document

To request a search

  1. Use the online service
  2. Select the search option and indicate how many years you would like to search

Cost and delivery

 

 

 

There may be delays as your order is processed due to higher than normal volumes of requests. We will do our best to complete your order in a timely manner and apologize for any inconvenience.

If you have an urgent request, please provide proof of urgency.

Type of serviceEstimated processing and deliveryCost
Online - Regular service

15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post. 

No service guarantees apply.

$15 for every 5-year period searched (example: year 2000 to 2004)
Online - Premium serviceNot available at this timeN/A
In-person emergency service (at 47 Sheppard Avenue East in Toronto only)Not available at this timeN/A
Mail6-8 weeks, mailed to you by Canada Post$15 for every 5 year period searched (example: year 2000 to 2004)

 

Check the status of your application

You can check the status of your birth certificate application 1 business day after you submit it.

Long form birth certificate

You may be asked by a government agency or person to submit a long form birth certificate.

The term "long form" may refer to a birth certificate with parental information or a certified copy of birth registration.

These are two separate products, used for different purposes, with different information. Always check with the government agency or person requesting the document to confirm what information they need before ordering a birth certificate.

Proof of urgency

To qualify for an emergency or expedited birth certificate, the birth must be registered in Ontario and you must provide proof of urgency along with your complete and correct application and fee.

Proof of urgency may include:

  • documentation of a medical emergency
  • a letter confirming new employment
  • a letter from a consulate or embassy confirming an appointment
  • travel reservations including airline tickets, reservations or travel itinerary
  • a letter confirming an appointment for an immigration hearing
  • a wedding invitation, where the applicant is a party to the marriage
  • a letter from a Registered Education Savings Plan dealer
  • other situations subject to review

To submit an urgent request for a birth certificate, you can:

 

 

 

  1. Download and complete a Request for birth certificate form 
  2. Complete and submit a Request for certificate services with payment (Download as PDF)
  • attach your completed Request for birth certificate form to this request
  • attach your proof of urgency documents
  • attach your supporting documents (for example, court documents) if applicable
  • submit your payment

Note: Do not include credit card information in your application form. Once you have completed your form, you will be directed to a payment page where you can submit your payment information and complete your request. 

This service is only available for urgent requests.

If your request is not urgent, you may order a birth certificate through the online certificate application or submit your application by mail.  

Contact us

If you have any questions or need more information, please call us at: