--- title: "Order or replace a birth certificate in Nova Scotia" url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/nova-scotia" description: "Order a birth certificate in Nova Scotia: handled by Vital Statistics (Service Nova Scotia). Compare all 13 provinces and territories. From official sources." 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 Nova Scotia Nova Scotia · 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 Nova Scotia Vital Statistics issues birth certificates for births registered in the province. Apply online, or send the paper form by mail or fax, or book an appointment. A short form costs $33.00 and a long form with parents' details costs $39.90. You must be the person named, a parent on the registration, or have another right to apply. Expect 4 to 6 weeks. Who handles it: [Vital Statistics (Service Nova Scotia)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/bodies/the-government-of-nova-scotia). Handles it in Nova Scotia. ## Official links - [Order a birth certificate](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 12 October 2026 ## Who can apply - The birth must have happened in Nova Scotia and been registered with Vital Statistics. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. - You can apply if you are the person named, a parent listed on the birth registration, a lawyer for either, an executor, a legal guardian, or an authorized agent. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. ## Steps 1. Apply online and include payment. An agent or representative must also fill in the consent form for an agent or authorized person. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. ## Cost - A short form birth certificate costs $33.00 and a long form costs $39.90. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. ## How long it takes - It should take 4 to 6 weeks to get the certificate. It can take longer if more information is needed or the form has mistakes. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. ## Where to go - If you cannot apply online, send the paper application with documents and payment by mail or fax, or contact Vital Statistics to book an appointment. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. ## Good to know - The short form has the child's information only. The long form adds the parents' information. Check with the agency asking for it which one you need. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. - The certificate can show M, F or X, or no sex indicator at all. Some agencies may not accept an X or a blank indicator. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. ## In every province and territory The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. Nova Scotia is marked. | Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know | |---|---|---|---| | [British Columbia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/british-columbia) | 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 (this page) | 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 much is a birth certificate in Nova Scotia? A short form costs $33.00 and a long form costs $39.90. Online, you pay by credit card, Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard. Cheques and money orders go to the Minister of Finance. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. ### How long does it take to get a Nova Scotia birth certificate? Plan on 4 to 6 weeks. It can take longer if Vital Statistics needs more information or your application has errors. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. ### Can I order a Nova Scotia birth certificate online? Yes. Online is the main way to apply. You can also mail or fax a paper form, or book an appointment with Vital Statistics. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. ### What is the difference between a short and long form birth certificate in Nova Scotia? The short form shows only the child's information. The long form also shows the parents' information. It is up to you to check which one the agency needs. Source: [novascotia.ca](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate), checked 13 October 2026. ## More - [Order a birth certificate in every province and territory](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate) - [Public services in Nova Scotia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/provinces/nova-scotia) - [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 Nova Scotia", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/birth-certificate/nova-scotia