A birth certificate is one of the most vital documents required by an individual that provides proof of citizenship. Current birth certificates in Alberta are more secure, durable, made from a polymer material that prevents identity theft. It’s important to note that wallet size birth certificates are no longer available; you now get certificates that are 5X7inches and can’t be stored in a wallet. If you already have a birth certificate in Alberta, you are not required to obtain a new one.
At Registry @ South Trail Crossing, we have been serving our clients since 2005 and all our registry agents are authorized by the Government of Alberta.
STEPS TO REQUEST A BIRTH CERTIFICATE IN ALBERTA
Acquiring a birth certificate involves a number of critical steps which are:
1. Registration
Before applying for a birth certificate, a child born in Alberta must be registered. If the birth is not registered, there is no way to confirm any discrepancies and the certificate wouldn't be issued until it is registered. You can carry out this registration at any time within one year from the child’s date of birth. After this period, the process will involve delayed registration fees of $20 with additional requirements. The registration form is provided by the hospital, the registered midwife or the physician which is then forwarded to Vital Statistics within 10 days of the child’s birth. Parents may be able to mail the registration to Vital Statistics under special circumstances (home birth).
You may also register your child's birth at a later date. The birth registration form is a legal record of the birth event and this is used to produce a birth certificate.
2. Eligibility It’s is important to know if you are eligible to apply for a birth certificate in Alberta. Anyone can apply for a birth document if:
Birth record is 120 years old or older
Person has been deceased for 50 years or more
3. In order to apply for a birth certificate, you need to complete the application for birth document form. The information provided should be complete. If you are unable to fill in the details, you have to provide a written explanation with your application before it can be approved by Vital Statistics.
4. Complete the form and bring it to the registry agent for further processing. Make sure you are carrying some form of valid personal identification such as a driver’s license or a government-issued identification card and photo ID.
5. After the application is completed, the documents are usually processed within 3 business days but the mail takes 7 to 10 business days after the request is submitted to Vital Statistics by the registry agent. Your application might be delayed if the data is incorrect or missing.
6. You can receive the birth documents by mail at no charge or receive them at the registry agent office for a service fee. For certain emergencies, you can deliver the birth documents to the call box in Edmonton or Calgary at no extra charge.
TYPES OF BIRTH DOCUMENTS
You have an option to include or exclude your parents’ information in the birth certificate. Here are three types of birth certificate that you can request:
1. Birth Certificate with Personal Information Only
This birth certificate includes:
Surname
Given Names
Date of Birth
Sex
Place of Birth
Registration Number
Registration Date
Date Issued
2. Birth Certificate with Personal Information and Parents’ Birthplace
This birth certificate includes:
Surname
Given Names
Date of Birth
Sex
Place of Birth
Registration Number
Registration Date
Date Issued
Name of Parent(s)
Place of Birth of the Parent(s)
3. Certified Copy of Birth Registration
A photocopy of a registration of birth usually has all the details from the birth certificate including personal information and parent’s birthplace. This photocopy can be used for identification depending on it's use for genealogical, court or consulate purposes.
Read our blog - The Personal & Societal Benefits of Registering Vital Life Events – for information on the importance of birth registration.
Once the birth registration is done with the Government of Alberta, you can order the birth certificate through our expert team at Registry @ South Trail Crossing. We provide a wide range of registration services, including corporate registry, Alberta healthcare plan and personal property registry. Contact us for more information on ordering a birth certificate.