Birth, Marriage and Death Records

Canadian Provinces: Alberta, British Columbia

There are various reasons for tracing birth, marriage and death records issued in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. You may wish to apply for your own birth or marriage certificate or the death certificate of a close relative. If you are tracing your family history, searching for and requesting copies of the birth, marriage and death certificates of your ancestors who lived in these provinces may help you to move forward in your research.

However, the search for birth, marriage and death certificates is not always straightforward. Follow this step-by-step guide to enable you to locate and request the records that you require.

Alberta

Birth, Marriage & Death Records from 1898 to 1905

The Provincial Archives of Alberta holds birth, marriage and death records covering the 1898 to 1905 period. Since these records are over 100 years old, they are no longer subject to privacy regulations. Therefore, anyone can purchase a transcript of a particular record for a small fee of C$5. In order to do this, contact the archives directly:

Provincial Archives of Alberta
8555 Roper Road
Edmonton, AB
T6E 5W1
Telephone: (780) 427-1750
Website: /www.cd.gov.ab.ca/

Birth, Marriage & Death Records from 1906 to the Present Day

If you wish to request more recent birth, marriage or death certificates issued in Alberta, there are two different procedures to follow, depending on whether or not you currently live in the province.

Alberta Residents

If you are a resident of the province of Alberta, follow these steps to request a certified or photocopied birth, marriage or death certificate:

1. Go to: governmentservices.gov.ab.ca/
2. Check that you are legally eligible to apply for the required certificate using the information on the first page of this document.
3. Print and complete the form
4. Find out the contact details of your local registry agent by using the search form on this webpage: governmentservices.gov.ab.ca/
5. Apply to the registry agent directly, either in person or in writing, for the required documents. A fee will be payable to the registry agent.

Non-Alberta Residents
Registry Connect is the agency that handles all applications from people living outside Alberta. Here is the procedure to follow if you are a non-resident and wish to apply for a birth, marriage or death certificate issued in Alberta:

1. Go to: www.altaregistryagents.org/
2. Check that you are legally eligible to apply for the required certificate using the information on the first page of this document.
3. Print and complete the application form on pages 4 and 5 of this document.
4. Send the completed form, together with a copy of your identification document and the fee of C$40 for each copied certificate, to Registry Connect at this address:
Registry Connect
PO Box 386
Edmonton, AB, T5J 2J6
5. It is possible to request secure delivery by registered mail or express delivery by courier but there are extra charges for these services. Further details on the applicable fees are available at the end of the application form.

British Columbia- Older Birth, Marriage & Death Records

The British Columbia Archives maintains several databases that list birth, marriage and death records that are no longer subject to privacy legislation. The databases available are:

� Index of Birth Registrations from 1872 to 1903
� Index of Baptisms taking place more than 120 years ago
� Index of Colonial Marriages from 1859 to 1872
� Index of Marriage Registrations from 1872 to 1930
� Index of Death Registrations from 1872 to 1985

Anyone can search these databases online and free of charge by following this procedure:

1. Go to: search.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/
2. Fill in the online search form. You may search all five databases at once by selecting the �all genealogy indexes� option in step one.
3. Click on the �start search� button
4. A search report will then appear with basic details of each record conforming to your search criteria.
5. In order to view more details on each record, click on the icon that looks like a piece of paper, to the left of the person�s name.
6. Note that the database record only contains basic information. Further information will probably be given on the actual registration document.
7. If you wish to request a copy of the original registration document, note the registration number, British Columbia Archives microfilm number and the GSU microfilm number on the database record.
8. To obtain a copy of the registration document, apply to:

BC Archives
675 Belleville Street
Victoria BC
V8W 9W2 Telephone: (250) 387 1952

Ensure that you include the registration and microfilm numbers. A fee may be charged. For details of the applicable fees, go to this webpage: www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/
More Recent Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates
Birth Certificates
Follow these steps to apply for a birth certificate in British Columbia:

1. Go to:www.vs.gov.bc.ca/forms/

2. Scroll down to the section headed �Who Qualifies to Apply for a Birth Certificate� on the second page of this document and verify that you are legally eligible to apply for the birth certificate in question.

3. Download, print and fill in the application form.

4. Check the applicable fee on the first page of the application form and include either a check, money order or your credit card details. If you are applying in person, you may also pay in cash.

5. Either take the form in person to one of the offices of British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency, the addresses of which are printed at the end of the application form, or mail it to:

British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency
PO Box 9657 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9P3
Telephone: (250) 952-2681
Marriage and Death Certificates

If you wish to apply for a marriage or death certificate issued in British Columbia, follow these steps:

1. Download the application form from: www.vs.gov.bc.ca/forms/

2. Scroll down to the second page of the document and find the sections headed �Who Qualifies to Apply for a Marriage Certificate� and �Who Qualifies to Apply for a Death Certificate� and check that you are legally permitted to apply for the certificate in question.

3. Print and complete the form.

4. Arrange for the applicable fee, shown on the first page of the application form, to be included with your application, either in the form of a check, money order or credit card payment. You may also pay in cash if you apply for the certificate in person.

5. You may apply either in person or by mail. If applying in person, take the completed form and fee to one of the offices of the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency. The addresses are printed at the end of the application form. Otherwise, mail the application and fee to:

British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency
PO Box 9657 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9P3
Telephone: (250) 952-2681

Hopefully, this guide will assist you in your quest to locate and request the birth, marriage or death certificates that you require.

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