Canadian Birth Certificates & Historic Birth Records Services

A Canadian birth certificate or certified historic birth record is generally required to apply for Proof of Canadian Citizenship (Citizenship by Descent).

The amendments to the Canadian Citizenship Act (Bill C-3) removed the previous generational limit for Canadian citizenship by descent. They expanded eligibility to many individuals born outside Canada to Canadian ancestors, regardless of the number of generations born abroad.

Under the current law, one of the key requirements is documentary proof of a direct line of descent from a Canadian-born ancestor. This proof may include:

• a Canadian birth certificate,
• a certified copy of historic birth records, or
• a Canadian Citizenship Certificate.

To apply for Proof of Canadian Citizenship (Citizenship by Descent), applicants are generally required to submit a color copy of an official birth certificate or a certified copy of historic birth records relating to their Canadian ancestor.

Historic Canadian Birth Records

Birth records from the last approximately one hundred years are generally maintained by provincial government offices such as Provincial Vital Statistics.

However, many historic birth records dated before 1920 are typically held by provincial archives.

You may contact the appropriate provincial authority directly to request a certified copy of your Canadian ancestor’s birth record.

Alternatively, if you would like our office to handle the request on your behalf, you may sign up online and authorize us to apply on your behalf.

Once you have signed up, you may use the secure upload link provided to submit the following information regarding your Canadian ancestor, along with any supporting documents you may have available:

• Full name of your Canadian ancestor
• Date and place of birth
• Names of parents
• Any supporting family records or documents

Once we receive this information, we will determine the appropriate authority based on the province and year of birth and submit a request to either Provincial Vital Statistics or the Provincial Archives for a certified copy of the birth record.

Our Birth Certificate & Historic Records Service Includes

• Conducting genealogical and archival research to verify information and locate available records
• Completing the required provincial government or archives application forms
• Gathering and preparing the supporting documentation required for the request
• Submitting the application on your behalf
• Mailing the certified birth record to you by regular mail

We’re Here to Help

Let our experienced specialists help ensure that your application is prepared accurately and efficiently, helping you avoid:

• Rejections
• Delays
• Missing documents
• Common application errors

We’re here to help!

Have questions or need assistance?

📞 Call us: (888) 808-0455
📧 Email us: [email protected]
🌐 Visit us: canadacitizenshiphelp.ca