Online Certificate Application

General Information

• How much does a certificate cost?
• How long does it take to get a certificate?
• What should I do if I lose my birth certificate or it gets stolen?
• Is my payment transaction secure?
• How can I protect my personal information?
• How is encryption used to keep my information secure?
• How can I clear my browser cache?
• What is a 'Cookie' and how are they used?
• What is the Service Guarantee for birth certificates?
• What is the Service Guarantee for marriage/death certificates?
• What is a search?
• What address should I provide on the application?
• How do I contact the Office of the Registrar General?
• My name contains letters with accents. How do I enter these characters?
• What do I do if I experience a technical problem and the information I have entered on the form is erased?
• What if I submitted an application form by mail/fax/in person and now want to submit it online - will I get a refund?
• I applied for one certificate but I was billed for two - will I get a refund?
• How can I get expedited or emergency service?

Online Application Information

• What is a Premium Online Service?
• Can I review my completed online application before I submit it online?
• Is my information sent online?
• Can I electronically save the application I send online?

Complete and Print Application Information

• If I use the printed application, is my information sent online?
• Can I electronically save the printed application?
  
• If I enter my credit card information on the printed application, will it be charged online?
• Can I send my printed application by email?

Birth Information

• What information do I need to provide on the Online Birth Certificate Application?
• Who is entitled to apply for an Ontario Birth Certificate?
• How do I register a birth in Ontario?
• What is birth registration?
• What type of birth document is required to obtain a Canadian passport, social insurance number (SIN), Ontario Health Card (OHIP number), or Ontario driver's licence?
• My child's birth hasn't been registered and I am required to travel with my newborn. What can I do?
• Do I need a certified copy of birth registration?
• What is the difference between a Birth Certificate, a Birth Certificate with Parental Information and a Certified copy of a Birth Registration?
• I am an adoptee or adoptive parent. What information do I need to provide?
• Who is entitled to be a guarantor?
• Can a family member or relative be a guarantor?
• How long will it take to get a birth certificate?
• Where can I get a birth certificate application form?
• How can my child travel before his/her birth is registered?
• Where can I submit my printed application?
• Where should I keep my birth certificate?
• Births prior to 1930
• How do I obtain a birth certificate that does not display the sex designation field?
• How do I obtain a birth certificate with an X, a non-binary sex designation, in the sex designation field?

Marriage Information

• How do I register a marriage?
• What information do I need to provide on the Online Marriage Certificate Application?
• Who is entitled to apply for a marriage certificate?
• Who is entitled to apply for a certified copy of marriage registration?
• Who is entitled to apply for a marriage certificate if one or both of the parties to the marriage is deceased?
  
• Who is entitled to apply for a certified copy of marriage registration if one or both of the parties to the marriage is deceased?
• Marriages prior to 1965

Death Information

• How do I register a death?
• What information do I need to provide on the Online Death Certificate Application?
• Who is entitled to apply for a death certificate?
• Who is entitled to apply for a certified copy of a statement of death?
• When do you need a death certificate?
• Deaths prior to 1980

General Information

What is a search?
If you do not know the exact date of an event (birth, marriage or death), you may request a search. A search verifies that an event has taken place and has been registered with the province of Ontario. There is a $15.00 fee for each period of up to 5 years you request to have searched.

What address should I provide on the application?
Provide the address where you want the Office of the Registrar General to send the documents. If you have a Post Office box, you must also provide an address with a street name and number. You are only required to use the Delivery Mode and Route number fields if you live in a rural area.

My name contains letters with accents. How do I enter these characters?

1. Ensure Num Lock is on.
2. Hold down the Alt key and type the number listed below using the Numeric Keypad on the right side of your keyboard.
3. When you release the Alt key, the character will appear.
   

   ALT codes for accented letters

   Character	Press Alt + type
   à	133
   â	131
   ä	132
   ç	135
   Ç	128
   é	130
   É	144
   è	138
   ê	136
   ë	137
   î	140
   ï	139
   ô	147
   ö	148
   ù	151
   û	150
   ü	129

What do I do if I experience a technical problem and the information I have entered on the form is erased?
Your information is lost and you will have to re-enter the information.

What if I submitted an application form by mail/fax/in person and now want to submit it online - will I get a refund?
Every person who submits an application for a certificate and thereby requests that a service be performed by the Office of the Registrar General must pay the required fee.

If you submitted multiple applications for a birth certificate, all applications will be processed, however, multiple certificates will not be issued. Only the most recently issued birth certificate and certified copy of the birth registration will be valid. Any previous copies will be deactivated. As processing has occurred, you are not eligible for a refund.

If you submitted multiple applications for a marriage or death certificate, all applications will be processed. As there is no restriction on the number of marriage or death certificates a person may apply for, processing has occurred and you are not eligible for a refund.

I applied for one certificate but I was billed for two - will I get a refund?
If you did not submit multiple applications, whether by mail, in person or online, and you have been charged more than once, you may submit a Request for Refund form for evaluation.

For information call:

1-800-461-2156 (outside Toronto but within North America)
416-325-8305 (in Toronto or outside North America)
416-325-3408 (TTY/Teletypewriter)

Online Application Information

What is a Premium Online Service?
Where rush service is required for a birth, death, or marriage certificate, customers may be able to apply for the Premium Online Service option. Eligible applications (see Terms and Conditions) are processed and delivered within 5 business days. Where applications are eligible for premium processing, a $30.00 surcharge will be applied per document requested.

Note: At this time Service Guarantees are not available for a Birth Certificate with Parental Information.

Can I review my completed online application before I submit it online?
There are a number of opportunities to review sections but you cannot see all of the information at once. The Office of the Registrar General does not provide a method by which you may review your application online. Upon successful submission of your online application, you will be presented with a payment receipt. The payment receipt includes information about the products you selected, and your order and payment confirmation numbers. The Office of the Registrar General recommends that you print the payment receipt for your records.

Is my information sent online?
After your credit card has been charged, your information is sent electronically to the Office of the Registrar General.

Can I electronically save the application I send online?
No. There is no method by which you may save your application electronically. Upon successful submission of your online application, you will be presented with a payment receipt. The payment receipt includes information about the products you selected, and your order and payment confirmation numbers. We recommend that you print the payment receipt for your records.

Complete and Print Application Information

If I use the printed application, is my information sent online?
No, the information you enter into this form will not be captured or sent electronically.

Can I electronically save the printed application?
No, the information you enter into this form cannot be saved electronically.

If I enter my credit card information on the printed application, will it be charged online?
No, your credit card will not be charged online. The Office of the Registrar General will charge your credit card only when the application is received.

Can I send my printed application by email?
No. You cannot send an application by email.

Birth Information

What information do I need to provide on the Online Birth Certificate Application?

• Last Name or Single Name
• First Name
• Organization/Firm
• Mailing address (Canadian or International)
• Primary Telephone Number
• Secondary Telephone Number

• Last Name or Single Name (at time of birth)
• First Name
• Middle Name(s)
• Date of Birth
• Sex
• City of Birth
• Weight at Birth
• Number of older siblings
• Location of birth (hospital, birthing centre, home or other location)
• Attendant at birth (Name and address of Doctor, midwife, or other person attending the birth)

• Last Name or Single Name of Parent (at parent's birth)
• First Name
• Middle Name(s)
• Any Previous Last Name(s) or Single Name(s)
• Address at Time of Child's Birth
• Age at Time of Child's Birth
• Marital Status at Time of Child's Birth
• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth

• Last Name or Single Name
• First Name
• Organization/Firm (if applicable)
• Occupation
• Registration Number (if applicable)
• Work Address and Daytime Phone Number
• Is the guarantor a Canadian citizen?
• Has the guarantor known you for two or more years?

• Payment Type - Credit Card
• Card Information including Card Number, Expiry Date if Payment Type is Credit Card

• Payment Type - Cheque, Money Order, Credit Card, Cash or Debit
• Card Information (if Payment Type is Credit Card)

What type of birth document is required to obtain a Canadian passport, social insurance number (SIN), Ontario Health Card (OHIP number), or Ontario driver's licence?

Please visit the following websites to determine what type of certificate you require:

Canadian Passport:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/passport/

Social Insurance Number:
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/apply/proof.shtml

Ontario Driver's Licence:
http://www.drivetest.ca/licences/id-documents.html

Ontario Health Card:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/card.aspx

What is the difference between a Birth Certificate, a Birth Certificate with Parental Information and a Certified copy of a Birth Registration?

A birth certificate is a legal document used to provide an identity. The birth must be registered before a birth certificate can be issued. There are three types of birth products available. Make sure you order the right certificate!

A Birth Certificate is an extract of information from the original birth registration and contains the following information:

• Subject name
• Subject date of birth
• Certificate Number
• Birthplace
• Sex
• Date of Registration
• Registration number
• Date issued

A Birth Certificate contains personal information of the subject only, and is recommended for those over the age of 16 and can be used to obtain other government documentation, such as:

• Adult general passport
• Social Insurance Number
• Ontario driver's licence
• Ontario Health Card

A Birth Certificate with Parental Information is an extract of information from the original birth registration and contains the following information:

• Subject name
• Subject date of birth
• Certificate Number
• Birthplace
• Sex
• Date of Registration
• Registration number
• Date issued
• Parent(s) name(s)
• Parent(s) place(s) of birth

*Note: For older (pre-1970) registrations, parent(s)' place(s) of birth may not have been recorded and therefore will not appear on the certificate.

This certificate includes parental information, in addition to the subject's information and is recommended for newborns or children under 16 years of age where parental information is required and can be used for the same identification purposes as a birth certificate with only subject information.

• Child general passport
• Child health insurance
• Certain immigration or citizenship applications

A Certified Copy of the Birth Registration contains the following information:

• Subject name
• Subject date of birth
• Birthplace (city, town, village, municipality)
• Sex
• Location of birth (hospital, birthing centre, etc.,)
• Parent(s) name(s)
• Parent(s) date(s) of birth
• Parent mailing address at the time of birth
• Duration of the pregnancy
• Number of children born to this mother
• Parent(s) place(s) of birth
• Weight of the child at birth
• Type of birth (single, multiple, etc.,)
• Attendant at the birth
• Date of Registration
• Registration number
• Date issued

A certified copy of the detailed registration filed after birth, also known as the Statement of Live Birth, contains all registered information about a birth. The copy is endorsed as authentic, printed on legal sized paper, and contains a raised seal for security and verification purposes.

As a historical record of the birth, a certified copy contains any changes that have been made to the birth registration including any name changes and corrections to information contained on the birth registration. The certified copy of a birth registration can be used for identification purposes requiring more detailed information such as for:

• Applying for Indian Status
• Adopting a child abroad
• Certain immigration or citizenship applications
• Visa applications

Safeguarding your personal and sensitive information is important. Given the amount of information contained in a Certified Copy of a Birth Registration it is not recommended to share this document unless expressly required.

I am an adoptee or adoptive parent. What information do I need to provide?
When completing the application, provide the adoptive parents names and the current legal name of the adoptee.

Can a family member or relative be a guarantor?
Yes, provided that he or she is a Canadian citizen, has known you for two or more years and his or her occupation appears on the list of qualified guarantors.

Marriage Information

What information do I need to provide on the Online Marriage Certificate Application?
You must provide:

• First and last names or single names of both parties to the marriage (Brides and grooms are referred to as parties to the marriage).
• Date of the marriage
• City or town of marriage.

Who is entitled to apply for a marriage certificate?
There are restrictions on who may apply for a marriage certificate. The parties to the marriage, children of the marriage, parents of the parties to the marriage and legally authorized representatives acting on behalf of these individuals are entitled to apply. Authorized representatives are required to provide proof of authorization.

Who is entitled to apply for a certified copy of marriage registration?
The parties to the marriage, and a legally authorized representative acting on behalf of either party to the marriage are entitled to apply. Authorized representatives are required to provide proof of authorization.

Brides and Grooms are referred to as the Parties to the marriage. Who is entitled to apply for a marriage certificate if one or both of the parties to the marriage is deceased?

The surviving party and Next of Kin - the parents of either party, children of the marriage and siblings of either party. If all the Next of Kin are deceased, extended Next of Kin may apply. Extended Next of Kin relationships include aunt, uncle, first cousin, grandchild, grandparent, nephew or niece.

Authorized representatives may also apply.

Who is entitled to apply for a certified copy of marriage registration if one or both of the parties to the marriage is deceased?

The surviving party and Next of Kin - the parents of either party, children of the marriage and siblings of either party. If all the Next of Kin are deceased, extended Next of Kin may apply. Extended Next of Kin relationships include aunt, uncle, first cousin, grandchild, grandparent, nephew or niece.

Next of Kin Certification

The Office of the Registrar General requires you to certify online that you are the Next of Kin or, that, the Next of Kin is deceased and you are the Extended Next of Kin.

Authorized Representatives

The legally authorized representative of an entitled individual, including the deceased, may apply for a certificate or certified copy of the marriage registration.

Death Information

What information do I need to provide on the Online Death Certificate Application?
You must provide:

• First and last name or single name of the deceased subject
• Sex
• Date of death
• City or town of death
• Parental information about the deceased subject
• If applicable, information about his or her spouse or partner.

Who is entitled to apply for a death certificate?
There are no restrictions on who may apply for a death certificate.

Who is entitled to apply for a certified copy of a statement of death?
The deceased's Next of Kin or their authorized representative may apply for a certified copy of a statement of death. Next of kin of the deceased includes his/her parents, spouse or common-law partner, children and siblings. If all the Next of Kin are deceased, Extended Next of Kin or their authorized representative may apply. Extended Next of Kin relationships include aunt, uncle, first cousin, grandchild, grandparent, nephew and niece.

Next of Kin Certification

The Office of the Registrar General requires you to certify online that you are the Next of Kin or, that, the Next of Kin is deceased and you are the Extended Next of Kin.