Table of Contents Show
Last Updated: September 2026
A replacement birth certificate in Alberta may be required when an original certificate has been lost, stolen or damaged, or when a current official certificate is needed for identification, travel, education, employment, financial matters or government services.
Alberta Vital Statistics can issue birth documents only for births registered in Alberta. People born in another province, territory or country must apply through the authority responsible for the place where the birth occurred.
Alberta currently offers several application routes depending on whether the applicant lives inside or outside the province and whether the request relates to a recently registered newborn.
Anyone looking for broader information about obtaining an Alberta birth certificate can also review the general application process before deciding which document is required.
What Types of Birth Documents Can Be Ordered in Alberta?
Alberta issues three main birth documents. There is only one physical certificate size, but the information shown varies.
Birth Certificate With Personal Information Only
This certificate includes:
- Full Name
- Date Of Birth
- Place Of Birth
- Sex
- Registration Number
- Registration Date
- Date Issued
It does not include the parents’ names.
Birth Certificate With Personal Information and Parentage
This version includes the person’s information together with:
- Parent Names
- Parents’ Places Of Birth
- Registration Details
Some organizations may specifically ask for a certificate containing parentage information.
Photocopy of a Registration of Birth
This is a copy of the original Registration of Birth information. It is generally requested for genealogy, court or consular purposes. A photocopy of a Registration of Birth cannot be used as identification.
People comparing provincial procedures can also read about the wider replacement birth certificate process in Canada. Requirements still need to be checked against Alberta’s current rules.
Who Can Apply for a Replacement Birth Certificate in Alberta?
Eligibility is considerably broader than simply the person named on the certificate or an immediate family member.
The following applicants may qualify:
- The Person Named On The Record Aged 12 Or Older
- A Person Aged 10 To Under 12, provided the required consent from a parent or guardian is included
- A Parent named on the birth record or established through a parentage order
- A Guardian Or Trustee with supporting legal documentation
- A Person Involved In A Pending Adoption who is named in the adoption documents
- A Person Holding Power Of Attorney for an eligible individual
- An Agent Named In A Personal Directive
- A Person Authorized By An Alberta Court Order, where the order was issued within one year of the application
- A Lawyer Acting For An Eligible Client, with the required Law Society identification and client letter
- Next-Of-Kin Of A Deceased Person
- An Executor, Personal Representative Or Estate Administrator
- A Public Trustee
- Another Relative Of A Deceased Person When No Living Next-Of-Kin Exists
A child younger than 10 cannot apply for their own certificate. Additional supporting documents may be required depending on the applicant category.
Who Counts as Next-Of-Kin in Alberta?
For Vital Statistics purposes, the definition of next-of-kin is narrower than many applicants expect.
Next-of-kin includes:
- Parent Or Step-Parent
- Sibling Or Step-Sibling
- Child Or Step-Child
- Spouse
- Partner
It does not include a grandparent, grandchild, in-law, niece, nephew or former spouse, former partner or other former step-relation.
A person who was adopted, or who placed their child for adoption, is also not considered next-of-kin to the relevant biological relations under these rules.
What Identification Is Required?
Applicants visiting a registry agent must normally provide original, valid government-issued photo identification.
The ID must:
- Be An Original Document
- Be Unexpired
- Show A Photograph
- Show The Applicant’s First And Last Name
- Have A Distinct Identification Number
- Be Issued By An Accepted Provincial, Territorial, Federal, State Or Comparable Government Authority
If an ID has no expiry date, it generally must have been issued within the previous five years. Photocopies and faxed identification are not accepted for an in-person Vital Statistics application.
What If the Applicant Does Not Have Valid ID?
An eligible applicant who does not have acceptable identification may, in certain eligible applicant categories, use a Designated Agent.
The applicant must have known the designated agent for at least one year. The designated agent must have acceptable identification and must complete the required statutory declaration before a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.
The applicant still completes the application and consent sections themselves. Applicants should confirm eligibility for the designated-agent process with a registry agent because it is not available for every Vital Statistics service.
How to Apply for a Replacement Birth Certificate From Within Alberta?
For most people already living in Alberta, the process involves a registry agent.
Step 1: Complete the Application
Complete the official Application for Birth Documents (DVS11163B).
Select the correct type of birth document and make sure the personal information matches the registered birth record.
Step 2: Prepare Acceptable Identification
Take the original acceptable government-issued photo ID and any additional documents required for the applicant’s eligibility category.
Step 3: Visit a Registry Agent
Take the completed application to an authorized Alberta registry agent.
Applications mailed directly to Vital Statistics are not processed.
Step 4: Pay the Government and Service Fees
The registry agent collects the applicable fees and forwards the application for processing.
Can a Birth Certificate Be Ordered Online?
Online ordering is available in a limited situation involving a recently registered newborn.
A parent may order a newborn’s certificate through Alberta eServices when:
- The Birth Was Registered Online
- Registration Took Place Within The Previous Year
- The Applicant Has The Registration Tracking Number
- The Applicant Is A Parent Recorded On The Registration
The tracking number can only be used once and expires after one year. The online price is currently $40 per certificate, including service charges. It cannot be used to order somebody else’s birth certificate.
This online newborn route should not be confused with the normal replacement process for an older certificate.
How to Apply From Outside Alberta?
Someone living elsewhere in Canada or outside the country does not normally need to travel back to Alberta.
Step 1: Complete the Birth Document Application
Complete the official DVS11163B application.
Step 2: Complete the Statutory Declaration
The applicant must also complete the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity (DVS3512).
It must be signed in person before a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.
Electronic signatures and remote or virtual commissioning are rejected.
Step 3: Mail the Original Documents
Send the original application and original statutory declaration to:
- Registry Connect
- AMA, if the applicant is an eligible member
Photocopies and faxes are not accepted. Applications should not be mailed directly to Alberta Vital Statistics. Registry Connect also states that applications must be mailed or couriered rather than emailed or faxed.
How Much Does a Replacement Birth Certificate in Alberta Actually Cost?
The often-quoted $20 fee is only the Alberta government fee. It is not necessarily the total amount an applicant will pay.
| Application Method | Current Cost Structure |
| Alberta Registry Agent | $20 government fee plus the registry agent’s service fee |
| Newborn Online Order | $40 including service charges |
| Registry Connect Bronze | $40 per document |
| Registry Connect Silver | $40 per document plus $35 rush fee |
| Registry Connect Gold | $40 per document plus $35 rush fee plus courier charges |
| AMA | Government fee plus applicable AMA service charges |
The Alberta government confirms the $20 base government fee and states that registry agents, Registry Connect and AMA may charge additional service fees.
Registry Connect’s March 2026 payment schedule lists Bronze at $40, Silver at $75 and Gold at $75 plus the destination-based courier charge.
Applicants should therefore check the total price for their chosen method rather than assuming the certificate costs only $20.
How Long Does a Replacement Birth Certificate Take?
When the birth is already registered and the application is complete, Alberta Vital Statistics normally processes an application within three business days after receiving it.
That three-day period does not include:
- Registry Agent Handling Time
- Mailing To Vital Statistics
- Return Mail
- Courier Delivery
- Delays Caused By Incorrect Or Missing Information
For planning purposes, applicants should allow around a week or longer for the complete process when regular mail is involved. The government does not guarantee that the certificate will arrive within three business days.
Registry Connect offers priority options, although delivery time still depends on the selected service and destination.
How Is the Certificate Delivered?
Several delivery arrangements are available.
- Regular Mail: The certificate can be mailed to the address stated on the application without an additional government delivery charge.
- Registry Agent Or AMA Pickup: Some locations offer a call-box or pickup service. Additional service charges may apply.
- Government Building Pickup: Arrangements can sometimes be made through a registry agent for collection at the John E. Brownlee Building in Edmonton or the Land Titles Building in Calgary. Alberta states there is no additional charge for these government-building pickup arrangements.
Acceptable identification is required when collecting the certificate.
Another person may pick up the document only when the applicant provides written authorization and the person collecting it provides their own acceptable ID. A designated agent also requires authorization if collecting the document.
How Do You Replace the Birth Certificate of a Deceased Person?
A birth certificate or birth record may be requested for a deceased person by certain eligible applicants, including:
- Next-Of-Kin
- Executor
- Personal Representative
- Estate Administrator
- Public Trustee
- Another Relative When There Is No Living Next-Of-Kin
Proof of death and documentation establishing the applicant’s relationship or legal authority must normally accompany the application. Birth certificates and certified birth records issued for deceased people contain a “Deceased” notation as an identity-protection measure.
What Happens With Historical Alberta Birth Records?
Some older records are handled by the Provincial Archives of Alberta instead of the normal Vital Statistics certificate process.
A birth registration is considered historical when:
- At Least 120 Years Have Passed Since The Birth, Or
- The Person Has Been Deceased For At Least 50 Years
Anyone may apply for qualifying historical records. Proof of death is required when eligibility is based on the person having been deceased for 50 years or more.
This historical-record process is different from ordering a current birth certificate.
Common Reasons an Application May Be Delayed or Rejected
Problems can often be avoided by checking the application carefully before submission.
Common issues include:
- Missing Required Information
- Information That Does Not Match The Birth Record
- Expired Or Unacceptable Identification
- Missing Proof Of Relationship
- Missing Court, Guardianship Or Estate Documents
- Sending Photocopies When Originals Are Required
- Using Electronic Or Remote Notarization For An Outside-Alberta Application
- Mailing The Application Directly To Vital Statistics
- Sending An Outside-Alberta Application By Fax Or Email
Applicants should also avoid laminating or altering an Alberta Vital Statistics certificate because Alberta states that doing so makes the document invalid.
Conclusion
Getting a replacement birth certificate in Alberta is relatively straightforward once the correct applicant category, document type and application channel are identified.
The most important points are to use acceptable identification, submit the application through the correct registry service and budget for service charges in addition to the $20 government fee.
People outside Alberta must complete the additional statutory declaration process, while eligible recent newborn registrations have a restricted online ordering option.
Historical records and documents for deceased individuals follow different eligibility rules. Because fees, forms and administrative procedures can change, applicants should confirm current requirements before submitting or paying for an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does a Replacement Birth Certificate Cost in Alberta?
The Alberta government fee is $20, but registry agents and other service providers may charge additional service fees. The final cost depends on the application method, delivery option and whether rush processing is selected.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Replacement Birth Certificate in Alberta?
Vital Statistics generally processes a complete application within about three business days after receiving it. Mailing, registry handling and courier delivery can make the total wait closer to a week or longer.
Can I Order an Alberta Birth Certificate Online?
Online ordering is available mainly for eligible newborn registrations completed online within the previous year. Most other applicants need to apply through a registry agent, AMA or Registry Connect depending on where they live.
Can I Apply for an Alberta Birth Certificate From Outside the Province?
Yes, people living outside Alberta can apply without travelling back to the province. They generally need to complete the birth document application and a Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity before sending the original documents through an approved service.
What ID Do I Need to Replace an Alberta Birth Certificate?
Applicants generally need valid original government-issued photo identification that includes their name, photograph and identification number. Additional documents may also be required depending on the person’s relationship to the individual named on the birth record.
What If I Do Not Have Valid Photo ID?
Some eligible applicants may be able to use a designated agent who has known them for at least one year. The designated agent must provide acceptable identification and complete the required statutory declaration.
Can Someone Else Pick Up My Birth Certificate for Me?
Another person may be able to collect the certificate if they have written authorization from the applicant. The person collecting the document must also provide acceptable identification.
