Overview
Altering or laminating Vital Statistics documents makes them invalid.
Historical records
The following must be applied for through the Provincial Archives of Alberta since they qualify as historical records (anyone may apply):
- copies of Registrations of Stillbirth 75 years old and older (from the date of stillbirth)
- copies of Medical Certificates of Stillbirth 75 years old and older (from the date of stillbirth)
Types of documents issued
There are 3 kinds of stillbirth documents you can order:
- Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth
- Photocopy of a Registration of Stillbirth
- Photocopy of a Medical Certificate of Stillbirth
Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth
Official certificates are not produced for stillbirths. Instead, a Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth is offered as a remembrance certificate. This is not an official government document. The Photocopy of the Registration of Stillbirth is the official document and is issued with a Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth.
This Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth includes:
- full name of the stillborn child
- date of stillbirth
- place of stillbirth
- sex of the stillborn child
- name of parent(s)
- place of birth of the parent(s)
- registration number
- registration date
Photocopy of a Registration of Stillbirth
This is a photocopy of the paper Registration of Stillbirth completed at the time of stillbirth.
A photocopy of a Registration of Stillbirth usually includes:
- full name of the stillborn child
- date of stillbirth
- place of stillbirth
- sex of the stillborn child
- name of parent(s)
- place of birth of the parent(s)
- registration number
- registration date
Photocopy of a Medical Certificate of Stillbirth
This document is a photocopy of the Medical Certificate of Stillbirth completed at the time of stillbirth by the attending physician or medical examiner (as is applicable). This document contains the medical information related to the medical cause of stillbirth.
A photocopy of a Medical Certificate of Stillbirth usually includes:
- full name of the stillborn child
- date of stillbirth
- place of stillbirth
- sex of the stillborn child
- medical cause of stillbirth
- name of attending physician or medical examiner
- registration number
Eligibility
The following eligibility requirements apply to:
- copies of Registrations of Stillbirth that are not yet 75 years old
- copies of Medical Certificates of Stillbirth that are not yet 75 years old
- certificates of a Registration of Stillbirth, regardless of the time that has passed
Applicants for certified copies of Registrations of Stillbirth and Certificates of Registration of Stillbirth
The following can order a certified copy of a Registration of Stillbirth and a Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth:
- next-of-kin to the stillborn child
- proof of relationship must be attached to the application
- a relative of the stillborn child when there are no living next-of-kin (described in (1) above)
- proof of relationship must be attached to the application
- a person with an Alberta court order that states the person is eligible to make the application
- the order must be issued by a court in Alberta
- the applicant must be authorized to make the application in the court order
- the court order must have been issued within 1 year of the application
- a copy of the order must be attached to the application
- a funeral home representative who is making arrangements for the stillborn child (at the time of stillbirth)
- proof of occupation must be attached to the application
- a lawyer for a person in (1) to (3)
- a copy of a valid Law Society card must be attached to the application (this is in addition to the legislated ID requirement)
- a letter from the lawyer advising who their eligible client is must be attached to the application
When an eligible applicant does not have acceptable id to make the application for a certified copy of a Registration of Stillbirth and Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth, a designated agent may be used by a person in (1) and (2).
Applicants for Medical Certificates of Stillbirth
The following can order a certified copy of a Medical Certificate of Stillbirth
- next-of-kin to the stillborn child
- proof of relationship must be attached to the application
- a guardian or trustee for a person in (1)
- proof of the next-of-kin relationship must be attached to the application
- the applicant must be named in the guardianship order or trusteeship document (as is applicable)
- a copy of the guardianship order or trusteeship document (as is applicable) showing the applicant’s name must be attached to the application
- a person with an Alberta court order that states the person is eligible to make the application
- the order must be issued by a court in Alberta
- the applicant must be authorized to make the application in the court order
- the court order must have been issued within 1 year of the application
- a copy of the order must be attached to the application
- a lawyer for a person in (1) to (3)
- a copy of a valid Law Society card must be attached to the application (this is in addition to the legislated ID requirement)
- a letter from the lawyer advising who their eligible client is must be attached to the application
When an eligible applicant does not have acceptable id to make the application for a Medical Certificate of Stillbirth, a designated agent may be used by a person in (1).
Next-of-kin
- Includes: parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, child, step-child, spouse, and partner.
- Does not include: grandchild, grandparent, in-law, child of a sibling (niece/nephew), and relative.
- Does not include any kind of ex; for example, ex-spouse, ex-partner, ex-step parent, ex-step child, etc.
A person who has been adopted or placed their child for adoption is not next of kin to biological relations.
Historic records
After 75 years have passed (from the date the child was stillborn), anyone may apply through the Provincial Archives of Alberta for a:
- copy of a child's Registration of Stillbirth
- copy of a child's Medical Certificate of Stillbirth
Cost
There is a $20 government fee for each stillbirth document ordered.
Registry agents, Registry Connect and AMA have additional service fees that will vary.
For the cost of a historic record through the Provincial Archives, contact the Provincial Archives of Alberta.
How to apply
Ordering a stillbirth document from within Alberta
Step 1. Complete the application form
PDF form issues
Fillable PDF forms do not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. To fill in and save the form:
- Save the PDF form to your computer – click or right-click the link and download the form.
- Open the PDF form with Adobe Reader. Fill it in and save it.
If you are still having problems opening the form, contact PDF form technical support.
Application for Stillbirth Documents
Step 2. Drop off the application form
Take the completed application and your acceptable ID to a registry agent office.
Applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed.
Ordering a stillbirth document from outside Alberta
Step 1. Complete the application form
Application for Stillbirth Documents
Do not complete the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity portion of the form at this time.
Step 2. Complete the statutory declaration form
Take the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity completed application and your acceptable ID to a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.
Complete the Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity in front of a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.
Step 3. Mail the application and statutory declaration form
Mail the original completed Application for Stillbirth Documents form and the original completed Statutory Declaration for Proof of Identity form to one of the following:
- Registry Connect
- AMA (Alberta Motor Association) – you must be a member
Photocopies and faxes are not accepted.
Applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed.
After you apply
Applications received through a registry agent, AMA or Registry Connect (as is applicable) are sent to Vital Statistics for processing. Under normal circumstances, when the stillbirth is registered and the application has been completed correctly, the application is processed by Vital Statistics within 3 business days of its receipt. This 3-day period does not include mailing/delivery time.
If information is missing or there are any discrepancies in information, your application may be delayed.
Delivery options for stillbirth documents
- By mail to the address provided on the application form at no extra charge.
- To a registry agent office or AMA (service fees may apply) if they offer call box service.
Documents cannot be picked up without acceptable ID. Documents will only be released to the person who applied for them. If someone is picking up your document on your behalf, you must provide them with a written letter of authorization and they must provide their own acceptable ID. If you have used a Designated Agent, they will also require a letter of authorization to pick up your document. There are no exceptions.
Contact
Connect with the Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Contact Centre:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-7013 (Edmonton and area)
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-422-4225
For the deaf or hard-of-hearing:
TTY: 780-427-9999 (Edmonton and area)
Toll free TTY: 1-800-232-7215 (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Mail:
Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 2023
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W7
Courier:
Vital Statistics
Document Reception
John E. Brownlee Building
10365 97 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C5