Need Help Obtaining a Certified Historical Canadian Birth Record?
Older Canadian birth records may no longer be held by the provincial or territorial Vital Statistics authority that currently issues birth certificates. Depending on the province or territory, the date of birth and the type of record, older records may have been transferred to a provincial or territorial archive, religious archive, or another historical records repository.
If you are searching for the birth record of a Canadian parent, grandparent, great-grandparent or other ancestor, you can research and request the record yourself. Library and Archives Canada (opens in a new tab) and the Government of Canada - Provincial and Territorial Archives Directory (opens in a new tab) provide information and links that can help researchers locate historical birth, baptism, marriage and death records held by provincial, territorial, religious and other archives across Canada.
If you prefer professional assistance, Canada Citizenship Help can assist with locating and obtaining eligible certified historical Canadian birth records, including records that may be needed to document a Canadian family connection for a Proof of Canadian Citizenship application.
Canada Citizenship Help, a separate website
Historical Canadian Birth Records
Assistance locating and obtaining eligible certified historical birth records from Canadian archives and other record repositories.
Canada Citizenship Help, a separate website
Quebec Certified Historical Birth Records
Specialized assistance locating and obtaining eligible certified historical Quebec birth records.
Official Government Resources & Services
- Government of Canada Canadian Passport Office Locations Find Passport Program and Service Canada locations where you can submit a passport application, including locations offering passport services. Find a Passport Office → (opens in a new tab)
- Government of Canada Birth Certificates by Provinces & Territories Birth records are administered by the province or territory where the birth occurred. Access official information for obtaining a birth certificate or copy of a birth record from Canada's provinces and territories. Government of Canada – Birth Certificates and Birth Records (opens in a new tab)
- Statistics Canada Provincial & Territorial Vital Statistics Offices Find the official Vital Statistics organization for each Canadian province and territory, including available contact information and links to the appropriate government authority. Statistics Canada – Vital Statistics Organizations (opens in a new tab)
- Library and Archives Canada Birth, Marriage & Death Records Information for researching historical Canadian vital records. Library and Archives Canada - Birth, Marriage & Death Records (opens in a new tab)
- Government of Canada Provincial & Territorial Archives Directory Links to archives across Canada that may hold historical birth, marriage, death, church and genealogical records. Government of Canada - Provincial and Territorial Archives Directory (opens in a new tab)