Common Questions - Vital Statistics

When the parents of a child are not married to each other, the father must acknowledge paternity and both parents must jointly request the surname chosen for the child by signing paternity forms. This lists the unmarried parents on the Registration of Birth. For more information regarding the paternity process, contact the Vital Statistics office.

This is the process used to alter the birth registration of a child born out of wedlock, to show the natural parents of the child have since married each other. For more information regarding the legitimization process contact the Vital Statistics office.

Only events which occur in the province of Alberta are registered by the Alberta Vital Statistics. Vital events are only registered where they occur.

The wife has the following choice of surnames to use after marriage:

• Her maiden name
• Previous married name
• Her current husband's surname
• Any combination of the above providing it is not more than 2 surnames (the new combined name may or may not have a hyphen)

As a result of traditions and common practice, the use of the husband's surname by the woman after marriage is legally accepted in Alberta. A legal change of name for a wife in such situations is not required.

A married man may use his wife's surname after marriage, however, this is not a recognized tradition or common practice, therefore, the husband may have difficulty using his wife's surname when conducting business affairs. To avoid difficulties a legal change of name could be undertaken by the husband.

As it is customary for the wife to take the husbands' surname, the changing of the surname on identification is not usually problematic. The wife presents her Marriage Certificate, proving she is married to the man whose surname she wishes to use, and the identification is changed. It is suggested that confirmation with each organization be made, as to what they require to make the change.

No. Vital Statistics ended blood testing in 1986.

Only events which occur in the province of Alberta are registered by the Alberta Vital Statistics. Vital events are only registered where they occur.

No. All the licensing documentation requirements will be according to the laws of that jurisdiction. The marriage event will be registered where it took place, outside Alberta.

Statements/certificates are required by the Marriage Act to be issued by the marriage officiate. These documents are to confirm that a marriage has taken place; however, they are not a legal document. When a legal confirmation is required a Certificate of Marriage issued from the records of Vital Statistics must be obtained.

Marriage licences are purchased from any registry agent. Consult the registry agent network listing for a registry agent close to you or the Yellow Pages under Licensing Services.

Vital Statistics does not record divorces. Contact the court house in the town or city where the divorce was granted. See Alberta Court Website (external site). When unsure of where in Canada the divorce took place, contact:

Central Divorce Registry
P.O. Box 2730, Station D
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1W7
Phone: 613-957-4519

In normal circumstances, a woman has assumed her husband's surname without a formal legal change of name. In this case the woman may revert back to her true legal name, which her birth certificate will reflect. The wife presents her Certificate of Birth proving her maiden surname that she wishes to use, and the identification is changed. It is suggested that confirmation with each organization be made, as to what it is they require to make the change.

If the marriage took place in British Columbia, Ontario or Quebec, contact that provinces' vital statistics department to confirm a legal change of name has not been processed. If the marriage took place outside Canada, check the customs of that country.

There is no waiting period between receiving the licence and the marriage. The marriage may take place the same day the licence is issued, but no more than three months from the date the licence is issued as the licence expires after three months.

Marriage commissioners are adult residents of Alberta who have been appointed by Ministerial Order to perform civil (non religious) marriages.

There are two types of appointments:

• Full term appointment (5 year period):
  
  
  • Individuals interested in a full term appointment may apply to Vital Statistics
    
    
  • Applications received for appointment by Vital Statistics for locations where appointments are not required, are filed with Vital Statistics and held for up to two years
    
    
  • When an appointment opportunity arises, applications on file for that location are reviewed, and those applicants who best meet the appointment criteria are interviewed
    
    
  • Successful candidates are referred to the Minister of Service Alberta for appointment consideration
    
    
• Temporary appointment (one day):
  
  

  • These appointments are restricted and are limited to Alberta residents who are judges, a member of the Senate of Canada, Alberta MPS or MLAs (including former MLAs)

  • In special cases where no other permanent marriage commissioners are available, Service Alberta will have discretion to appoint an individual as a temporary marriage commissioner where they are not a judge, a member of the Senate of Canada, MP or MLA

 For more information or clarification on the permanent or temporary appointment processes, contact the Vital Statistics office.

Religious organizations seeking authority to perform marriages must apply for recognition from Vital Statistics.

The religious organization applying for recognition must meet the following criteria:

• Incorporation in Alberta for at least three years under either:
  
  
  • The Societies Act
  • The Religious Societies Lands Act
  • The Companies Act
    
    
• Have a suitable location established for the members of the organization to meet regularly
  
  
• Have an established membership of at least 100 members
  
  
• Provide documentation, such as:
  
  
  • Constitution and bylaws of the organization
  • Annual financial statements for the previous three years
  • Religious sacraments, including a marriage ceremony
  • Names and addresses of members and clergy in Alberta
    
    
• Organizations that have been recognized by Vital Statistics to perform marriages appoint a representative called a governing authority (Note: The governing authorities  identify the clergy residing in Alberta, who are licensed to perform marriages. Vital Statistics issues certification to those clergy that represent the governing authority.)

For more information concerning applications and registration criteria, contact the Vital Statistics office.

In writing, outline the details of your complaint. Be sure to include the marriage commissioner's name. Mail your complaint to:

Service Alberta
Alberta Registry, Vital Statistics
3rd floor, John E. Brownlee Building
10365 - 97 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3W7

In writing, outline the details of your complaint. Be sure to include the clergy's name. Mail your complaint to:

Service Alberta, Alberta Registry
3rd floor, John E. Brownlee Building
10365 - 97 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3W7

A registry agent is an agent who acts on behalf of Service Alberta. Certain services may be obtained through the registry agent network. Consult the registry agent network listing for a registry agent close to you or the Yellow Pages under Licensing Services.

Clients who reside outside Alberta may contact Registry Connect (pdf) for services.

Anyone interested in becoming a registry agent should send a letter of interest to:

Service Alberta
Agent Support
3rd Floor, John E Brownlee Building
10365 - 97 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3W7 

see also: How to Become a Registry Agent

In writing, outline the details of your complaint. Be sure to include the registry agent's name and address. Mail your complaint to:

Service Alberta
Agent Support
3rd Floor, John E Brownlee Building
10365 - 97 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3W7

Contact Vital Statistics in the province where the event occurred. For more information, go to Canadian and other Vital Statistics offices.

When an application is received for a registered vital event that is fully and correctly completed, documentation can be produced within two to three days. When the documentation is needed within a specific time frame, make the registry agent network or Registry Connect (pdf) aware and provisions can be made to accommodate the situation.

Certificates and Photocopies of Registrations are very different from each other. They look different and the information they contain is different:

• Certificate - specific and limited information taken from a registration document and transcribed to a certified certificate made of bank note paper (Note: Births and marriages come in two sizes, small and large. Deaths are available in the large size only. Stillbirths are not available in certificate form.)
  
  
• Photocopy of Registration - photocopies are rarely needed by citizens and are, by law, for restricted use only (Note: They are generally only required for court or consulate purposes. They are not used as identification. This is an actual copy of a registration completed at the time of the event. Available in this format are births, stillbirths, marriage, and deaths. Copies of legal change of name certificates may also be issued in this form.)

To know which style is needed for a given reason it is suggested that contact be made with the organization the document will be shown to, for confirmation of style.

The records of Vital Statistics are confidential and can only be accessed by eligible individuals. For Alberta residents, application for specific documents must be made through a registry agent. Non-Alberta residents can contact  Registry Connect (pdf) for more information.

To legally change a name, the completion of a change of name form is required. Depending on the circumstances,  presentation of identification, fingerprints, court orders, dispensations, statutory declarations, proof of marital status, custody orders may be required.

To process a legal change of name, an individual may:

• Complete the forms themselves
• Seek legal counsel to assist them with the form requirements
• Contact the registry agent network and have a clerk assist them with the forms

In all cases the final approval, processing and production of the "original" legal change of name certificate is done by the Vital Statistics office.

All legal change of name forms may be obtained from the registry agent network.

Once the legal change of name has been completed and is registered with Vital Statistics, a change of name certificate is issued to you. Additional certificates can be purchased through a Registry Agent.

When a married woman wishes to use her married surname, which is her husband's surname, a legal change of name is not required.

For information or clarification on the legal change of name registration process, contact the Vital Statistics office in Edmonton.

Vital Statistics does not keep a Wills Registry. Please contact:

Public Trustee Office
4th Floor, John E. Brownlee Building
10365 97 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3W4
Phone: 780-427-2744

Surrogate Court
Law Court Building
1A, Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 0R2
Phone: 780-422-2434

From time to time the records of Vital Statistics may require corrections/amendments. Amendments may be a result of errors made at the time of registration or may reflect a desired change.

Requests for amendments can be made directly to the Vital Statistics Office and require statutory declarations supported by acceptable documentation.

There is a $20.00 amendment fee when correcting/altering a registration. Exception: A fee is not applicable when the amendment request is made within 90 days from the date of the event.

Note: A last  name change, in most situations, is not considered a Correction or Amendment to a registration.  A last name change is more involved and it is advisable to contact the Vital Statistics office with your specific situation, as circumstances will vary.

For more information or clarification on the amendment process contact the  Vital Statistics office.

A SIN is a nine-digit number used in the administration of various Canadian government programs. A SIN is required to work in Canada or to receive benefits and services from government programs.

Requesting a SIN at the same time as registering your child’s birth is more convenient and reduces paperwork. It saves you from having to go to Service Canada at a later date to fill out another application form to apply for the SIN. 

Although applying for your child’s SIN is optional, a SIN is required to access Government of Canada and Government of Alberta programs and benefits including:

• Opening a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
  
  
• Accessing the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)
  
  
• Accessing the Canada Learning Bond
  
  
• Accessing the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Grant

For more information on the above programs please visit: CanLearn (external site)

In the future, your child will need a SIN when applying for a job and paying income tax.

Only the parents of the child being registered can use this service to apply for a SIN. If you are not the parent of this child, you may still be eligible to apply for the child’s SIN, but will need to apply directly to Service Canada (external site).

You must also be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may still be eligible to apply for your child’s SIN, but will need to apply directly to Service Canada (external site).

No. You cannot apply for a SIN using this service if the child’s birth has already been registered. Visit Service Canada (external site) for information about how to apply.

No. If the child is over one year of age, you cannot use this service to apply for a SIN. Visit Service Canada (external site) for information about how to apply.

You would have obtained a Registration of Birth form from the hospital where your child was born or from the midwife who attended the birth. If you did not receive a Registration of Birth form, you can contact Alberta Vital Statistics at  780-427-7013.

After completing the birth registration section, simply include your signature in the “Request for a Social Insurance Number for my Child” box at the bottom of the Registration of Birth form (section 31 on the application form). When completed, this section is considered the SIN application for your newborn. The information required to apply for a SIN will be sent to Service Canada after the birth is registered.

There is no fee to apply for your child’s first SIN card.

After you fill out the Registration of Birth form with all the required and correct information, you will need to submit the application to the designated hospital staff who will forward your registration to Alberta Vital Statistics. Once your baby is registered with Alberta Vital Statistics, the information required to apply for a SIN will be sent to Service Canada. Your child’s SIN application will be processed immediately by Service Canada and the SIN card mailed within fifteen business days. In general, from the time a parent sends in the Registration of Birth form, if it is filled out correctly, it usually takes approximately three to four weeks for the entire process to be completed.

The application will be sent electronically to Service Canada once the birth has been fully registered with Alberta Vital Statistics providing the parent added their signature in the “Request for a Social Insurance Number for my Child” box (section 31 on the application form).

Protecting the privacy of personal information is a key priority. Both the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada adhere to provincial and federal privacy acts. The information is sent electronically using security measures that protect your personal information.

By signing the “Request for a Social Insurance Number for my Child” section, you consent to have the following information sent to Service Canada after the birth is registered:

• Birth Registration Number
  
  
• Child’s date of birth and place of birth
  
  
• Child’s full name
  
  
• Child’s sex
  
  
• Mother’s full maiden name including maiden name
  
  
• Mother’s mailing address
  
  
• Father’s/co-parent’s full name
  
  
• Whether the birth was single, twins, triplets, etc.
  
  

You should contact Service Canada.

Phone: 1-800-206-7218 (English) or 1-800-808-6352 (French), and select option “3” for information about the SIN.

Website: Service Canada (external site)

Visit: See your nearest Service Canada Centre. For locations, see our website, or call 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232); TTY 1-800-926-9105.

Mail: 

Social Insurance Registration
P.O. Box 7000
Bathurst, New Brunswick
E2A 4T1