--- title: "Order or replace a birth certificate in British Columbia" url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/british-columbia" description: "Order a birth certificate in British Columbia: handled by Vital Statistics Agency (Government of British Columbia). Compare all 13 provinces and territories." site: "Canada Service Map" author: "Mahmoud Halat" publisher: "Space & Story" lastReviewed: "2026-10-13" licence: "Built entirely from public data: open data and official government pages. Each record keeps the licence of its source, listed at https://canadaservicemap.ca/data." --- # Order or replace a birth certificate in British Columbia British Columbia · Identity and documents Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked 13 October 2026. Not a government website. The official page always has the final word. ## Short answer In British Columbia, Vital Statistics Agency (Government of British Columbia) handles it. Who handles it: [Vital Statistics Agency (Government of British Columbia)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/bodies/the-government-of-british-columbia). Handles it in British Columbia. ## Official links - [How to order](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 12 October 2026 ## Who can apply - The person named on the certificate can order it, as can a parent if that person is under 19, a guardian in some cases, or someone with written permission from an eligible applicant. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. ## Steps 1. If it is your own certificate, or your child's and the child is 18 or younger, you can order online. Everyone else must order in person or by mail. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. 2. Online orders go through the Vital Statistics Agency's secure ordering service and need a credit card. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. 3. If a certificate is lost or stolen, file the free Declaration of Lost or Stolen Birth Certificate (form VSA 410B) so it is cancelled, and report it to local police. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. ## What you need - To order by mail, send the Application for Birth Certificate or Registration Photocopy (form VSA 430B) with payment to the Vital Statistics Agency in Victoria. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. ## How long it takes - Courier delivery costs $60 per certificate. It prints the next business day once all information is in, but it will not arrive the same day. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. ## Where to go - At a Service BC counter you do not fill out a form, but you give the same birth details the form asks for and pay there. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. ## Good to know - There are two versions. The one with parental information is needed for many applications, such as a passport for a child up to age 16. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. - A newborn's certificate cannot be issued until the birth is registered and Vital Statistics gets the Notice of Birth from the hospital. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. ## In every province and territory The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. British Columbia is marked. | Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know | |---|---|---|---| | British Columbia (this page) | Vital Statistics Agency (Government of British Columbia) | [How to order](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 12 October 2026 | | | [Alberta](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/alberta) | Alberta registry agents (Vital Statistics, Government of Alberta) | [Order a certificate](https://www.alberta.ca/order-birth-certificate), checked 12 October 2026 | Order through a registry agent; applications mailed directly to Vital Statistics are not processed. | | [Saskatchewan](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/saskatchewan) | eHealth Saskatchewan (Vital Statistics) | [Order a birth certificate](https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/birth-marriage-death-certificates/birth-certificates), checked 12 October 2026 | | | [Manitoba](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/manitoba) | Vital Statistics Branch (Government of Manitoba) | [Order a certificate online](https://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/online_certificate_application.html), checked 12 October 2026 | | | [Ontario](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/ontario) | ServiceOntario (Office of the Registrar General) | [Order a birth certificate](https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-or-replace-ontario-birth-certificate), checked 12 October 2026 | Order directly from ServiceOntario; third-party sites charge extra. | | [Quebec](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/quebec) | Directeur de l'état civil | [Order a certificate online](https://services.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca/declic2/IndexCourtier.aspx?lang=en), checked 12 October 2026 | Only the person named in the act, or someone who can show an interest, can order it. | | [New Brunswick](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/new-brunswick) | Vital Statistics (Service New Brunswick) | [Order a birth certificate](https://www.pxw1.snb.ca/snb9000/product.aspx?productid=A001PSN6000&l=e), checked 12 October 2026 | | | [Nova Scotia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/nova-scotia) | Vital Statistics (Service Nova Scotia) | [Order a birth certificate](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 12 October 2026 | | | [Prince Edward Island](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/prince-edward-island) | Vital Statistics (Government of PEI) | None on record | | | [Newfoundland and Labrador](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/newfoundland-and-labrador) | Vital Statistics Division (Government Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador) | [Order a birth certificate](https://www.gov.nl.ca/gs/birth/birth-certificate/), checked 12 October 2026 | | | [Yukon](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/yukon) | Vital Statistics (Government of Yukon) | None on record | Only for births that happened in the Yukon. | | [Northwest Territories](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/northwest-territories) | Vital Statistics, Health Services Administration Office (Department of Health and Social Services) | [Order a birth certificate](https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/order-birth-certificate), checked 12 October 2026 | | | [Nunavut](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/nunavut) | Nunavut Vital Statistics (Department of Health) | [Order a certificate](https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/identification-and-certificates/birth-certificate), checked 12 October 2026 | Births before April 1, 1999 are held by the Northwest Territories; order those from the NWT. | ## Questions people ask ### How long does it take to get a B.C. birth certificate? Allow four to six weeks for processing with regular mail. With courier delivery, the certificate prints the next business day once everything is received, then ships from Victoria. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. ### Can I order a B.C. birth certificate online? Yes, if it is your own certificate or your child's and the child is 18 or younger. You need a credit card. Other applicants must apply in person or by mail. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. ### Can I get a B.C. birth certificate without the sex shown? Yes. Choose that option on form VSA 430B and mail it with payment or order at a Service BC counter. It cannot be ordered online. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. ### Do I need to replace my old paper B.C. birth certificate? No. Certificates printed before 2008 are still valid for most uses, but some agencies may ask for the newer polymer one, and a replacement is not free. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates), checked 13 October 2026. ## Where to go in person - Provincial service centres: [Vancouver, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/vancouver) (1), [Surrey, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/surrey) (1), [Burnaby, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/burnaby) (1), [Kelowna, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/kelowna) (1), [Nanaimo, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/nanaimo) (1), [Kamloops, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/kamloops) (1), [Chilliwack, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/chilliwack) (1), [Victoria, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/victoria) (1), [Maple Ridge, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/maple-ridge) (1), [Prince George, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/prince-george) (1) ## More - [Order a birth certificate in every province and territory](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate) - [Public services in British Columbia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/provinces/british-columbia) - [Get or renew a passport](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/passport) - [Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/sin) - [Get proof of Canadian citizenship](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/citizenship-certificate) - [Apply for Indian status or a status card](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/status-card) - [Order a death certificate](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/death-certificate) - [Order a marriage certificate](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-certificate) ## Cite this page Canada Service Map, "Order or replace a birth certificate in British Columbia", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/british-columbia