Birth, Marriage and Death Records

Searching for Birth, Marriage and Death Records in the Canadian Province of New Brunswick

Birth, marriage and death certificates, otherwise known as vital statistics, are probably the most sought-after personal records. However, the process of tracking down and applying for these certificates is not always straightforward. This step-by-step guide should help you to locate and request both recently issued and historical documents in the Canadian Province of New Brunswick.

Older Birth, Marriage and Death Records

The Provincial Archives of New Brunswick is the repository for:

�        Civil and church registries pre-dating 1888

�        Birth records covering the 1888 to 1905 period

�        Marriage records dating from 1888 to 1950

�        Records of death occurring between 1888 and 1950

The vital statistics search engine on the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick�s website enables anyone to search online and free of charge almost 750,000 records from a variety of sources, namely:

�        Four indexes of birth records, covering the 1810 to 1913 period

�        The New Brunswick Marriage Index from 1847 to 1955

�        Three indexes of death records, dating from 1815 to 1957

It should be noted that not all birth, marriages and deaths taking place before 1888 have been recorded.

In order to search these sources, follow this procedure:

1.      Go to: http://archives.gnb.ca/APPS/GovRecs/VISSE/?L=EN

2.      Fill in the online search form with at least one search term, such as a surname, and click on the �search� button at the bottom of the form.

3.      A list of results conforming to your search criteria will appear. You will see three blue tabs at the top of the table of search results, denoting births, marriages and deaths. Click on the tab corresponding to the type of record you are looking for.

4.      You will then see with the following basic information on each person:

a.       Surname, followed by given name(s)

b.      County of New Brunswick

c.       Year

5.      Scroll down the list until you find the name that you are searching for.

6.      Click on the �details� link to the left of the name to reveal  more information, including:

a.       Nate and place of birth, marriage or death

b.      Name(s) of father and mother or marriage partner

c.       Numbers used to identify the record

7.      If you wish to request a full copy of the record, follow these steps:

a.       Note down the exact registration, volume and microfilm numbers from the database record

b.      Prepare a written request and include your complete mailing address and all of the reference numbers from the database

c.       Include a check for C$7 per record, made payable to �Minister of Finance.� If the original record is longer than ten pages, there will be an additional charge of C$1 per page.

d.      Mail the request and the check to:

Provincial Archives of New Brunswick

PO Box 6000

Fredericton, New Brunswick

E3B 5H1

If you require an official birth, marriage and death certificate, you will need to contact the Vital Statistics Office. Please see the section on more recent birth, marriage and death records for information on how to do this.

More Recent Birth, Marriage and Death Records

The Vital Statistics Office holds:

�        Birth records from 1906 to the present day

�        Marriage records from 1951 to the present day

�        Death records from 1951 to the present day

Applying for a Birth Certificate

In order to apply for a birth certificate issued in New Brunswick, follow these steps:

a.       Download the Birth Certificate Application Form from the Internet at: https://www.web11.snb.ca/snb7001/b/1000/CSS-FOL-35-5246B.pdf

b.      Print and complete the form in either black or blue ink.

c.       If you are applying for a birth certificate on behalf of another person (apart from your own child aged under 19 years), you will need to ask that person to sign and date the section of the form headed �Consent�

d.      If the person whose birth certificate you are applying for is deceased, include proof of their death with the completed application form.

e.       Decide which type of certificate you would like. Birth certificates are available in both long and short formats. For details of the information included in both formats, consult the section headed �Information Contained on Birth Certificates� on the second page of the application form.

f.        Find out the fee for your chosen certificate from the �Fees� section, also on the second page of the application form, and include either your credit card details or a check or money order payable to Service New Brunswick. If you are applying for the certificate in person, you may also pay by cash or debit card.

g.       You may apply by mail or in person. Applications by fax are only accepted if the applicant�s credit card details are included on the application form. The mailing address and fax number are:

Vital Statistics

Service New Brunswick

PO Box 1998

Fredericton, NB

E3B 5G4

Fax: (506) 444-4139

For applications in person, the visiting address is:

Vital Statistics

Service New Brunswick

Suite 203 (Second Floor)

435 King Street

Fredericton, NB

E3B 1E5

                  Telephone: (506) 453-2385

Applying for a Marriage or Death Certificate

Follow this procedure to apply for a marriage or death certificate issued by the New Brunswick authorities:

a.       Download the Marriage or Death Certificate application form from the Internet at: https://www.web11.snb.ca/snb7001/b/1000/CSS-FOL-35-2262B.pdf

b.      Print the form and fill in all of the relevant sections with black or blue ink

c.       If you are applying for a marriage certificate and you are not one of the marriage partners named on the certificate, you will need to ask one of the named partners to sign and date the �consent� section of the form. If the marriage partners are deceased, you will need to include proof of their deaths.

d.      Consult the section headed �Information Contained on Marriage Certificates� and decide whether you require a small certificate, large certificate or a photographic print of the marriage registration. Death certificates are only available in large format.

e.       Consult the �Fees� section on the second page for details of the appropriate charge, and include either your credit card details or a check or money order payable to Service New Brunswick. If you are applying in person, you may also pay by cash or debit card.

f.        You may apply in person, by mail or, if you are paying with your credit card, by fax. The mailing address and fax number are:

Vital Statistics

Service New Brunswick

PO Box 1998

Fredericton, NB

E3B 5G4

Fax: (506) 444-4139

The visiting address is:

Vital Statistics

Service New Brunswick

Suite 203 (Second Floor)

435 King Street

Fredericton, NB

E3B 1E5

                  Telephone: (506) 453-2385

Whether you are searching for your own personal records or those of your ancestors, these step-by-step instructions should facilitate your search in New Brunswick.