Canadian Long-Form Birth Certificate for US Immigration

USCIS, NVC, and DOS only accept the Long-Form Canadian Birth Certificates. This post will display the difference in Birth Certificates as it relates to US Immigration filings.
What are the Basic Formats?
There are a few basic formats for Birth Records across Canada:
- The “small” or “short form” certificate is a computer-printed, limited extract of information from provincial records. It is a wallet-sized card, 9.5 x 6.4 cm or 2.5 x 3.75in. Short-form or small certificates are NOT acceptable for Immigration purposes because they do not contain enough identification information, such as parents’ names.

- The Individual Information Only Birth Certificate contains child’s name, date of birth, place of birth and sex. The certificate is 12.5 cm wide by 17.6 cm high. This version is NOT acceptable for Immigration purposes because it does not contain parent information.

- The Birth Certificate with Parental Information Included contains the individual’s name, date of birth, place of birth, sex and parent(s) name and birthplace. The certificate is 12.5 cm wide by 17.6 cm high. Many applications, such as Canadian passport, require this birth certificate for children up to the age of 16. This version is acceptable for Immigration purposes.

- A Certified Copy of a Record is an exact or near-exact copy of the actual paper record in the provincial archives. It is printed on safety paper, usually 21.5 x 28 cm or 8.5 x 14in., and bears the province or territory’s raised seal. This type of certificate, being a complete record rather than an extract, contains the most information about the event. This version is acceptable for Immigration purposes.

- A Commemorative Birth Certificate is a decorative document intended for display. Commemorative certificates are not considered legal documents in Canada and are NOT acceptable for US Immigration purposes.

How can I request a Canadian Birth Certificate?
Not all provinces and territories issue all of the formats noted above. Province-and-territory specific information on obtaining acceptable birth certificates are as follows:
- Alberta: Applicants should obtain a Birth Certificate with Parental Information Included or certified photocopy of a registration from Alberta Vital Statistics through a private Alberta Registry Agent. Further information, including names and locations of Registry Agents, is available online.
- British Columbia: Applicants should obtain a Birth Certificate with Parental Information Included or certified photocopy of a registration from the Vital Statistics Agency, which has offices in Vancouver (605 Robson Street, Room 250, tel: 604-660-2937) and Victoria (818 Fort Street, tel: 250-952-2681). Further information, including locations of other Vital Statistics offices, names and located of Government Agents, and mail-order instructions, is available online.
- Manitoba: Applicants should obtain “large” certificates or certified copies from the Vital Statistics Agency in Winnipeg (254 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, 204-945-3701). Further information, including mail-order instructions, is available online.
- New Brunswick: Applicants should obtain “long-form certified copies” of records from the Vital Statistics Office in Fredericton (435 King Street, Suite 203, tel: 506-453-2385). Further information, including mail-order instructions, is available online.
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Applicants should obtain “long-form certificates” from the Vital Statistics Division in St. John’s (5 Mews Place, tel: 709-729-3308) or at Government Service Centers located throughout the province. Further information, including locations and mail-order instructions, is available online.
- Northwest Territories: Applicants should obtain “framing” or “restricted photocopy” certificates from the Registrar General of Vital Statistics in Inuvik Office of the Department of Health and Social Services (tel: 867-777-7420). Applicants may also write to: Registrar General of Vital Statistics, Government of the NWT, Bag 9 (107 MacKenzie Road/IDC Building, second floor), Inuvik, NT, X0A 0T0 (fax: 867-777-3197).
- Nova Scotia: Applicants should obtain “large” certificates or certified copies of a registration from Vital Statistics Office in Halifax (Joseph Howe Building, 1690 Hollis Street., ground floor, tel:902-424-4381). Further information, including instructions for ordering online or by mail, is available online.
- Nunavut:
Applicants should obtain “large” certificates or certified copies of a registration from the Vital Statistics Division, which is based out of the Kivalliq Regional Office of the Department of Health and Social Services (tel:867-645-2171). Applicants may also write to: Social Services, Bag 3 RSO Building, Rankin Inlet, NU, X0C 0G0 (fax: 867-645-2580).
Note: Nunavut was part of the Northwest Territories until April 1, 1999. Before that, all births, marriages, deaths, and name changes that occurred in the present Nunavut region would have been registered with the Northwest Territories Registrar General of Vital Statistics. - Ontario: Applicants should obtain “large” certificates or certified copies of a registration from the Office of the Registrar General in Toronto (Macdonald Block, 900 Bay Street, second floor, tel: 416-325-8305) or at Ontario Land Registry Offices and Government Information Centers located throughout the province. Further information, including locations and information on ordering by mail is available online.
- Prince Edward Island: Applicants should obtain “framing size” certificates from the Office of Vital Statistics in Montague (126 Douses Road, tel:902-838-0080) or Charlottetown (16 Garfield Street, tel:902-368-6185). Further information, including mail-order instructions, is available online.
- Quebec: Applicants should obtain “certified copies of an act” from the Direction de l’ Etat Civil in Montreal (2050, rue de Bleury, sixth floor, tel:514-864-3900) or the Directeur de l’Etat Civil in Quebec City (2535, boulevard Laurier, Ground Floor, Sainte-Foy, tel:418-643-3900; fax:418-646-3255). Further information, including other locations and information on ordering by mail is available online.
- Saskatchewan: Applicants should obtain “frame” certificates or certified copies of a registration from the Vital Statistics Office in Regina (1942 Hamilton Street, tel:306-787-3251).
- Yukon Territory: Applicants should obtain “large” certificates or certified copies of a registration from the Vital Statistics Agency in Whitehorse (204 Lambert Street, fourth floor, tel: 867-667-5207) or a Yukon Territorial Agent. Further information, including mail-order instructions, is available online.
Note: Our Law Office does not assist in acquiring Birth Certificates. Due to Privacy or needing to be a citizen of that country, only the person named on the birth certificate is normally the only person permitted to request such documents.
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Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
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