Not every historical Canadian birth has a surviving or identifiable birth record. In some cases, a birth may not have been formally registered, the original record may no longer be available, or the record may be difficult to locate because of variations in names, dates, places, or other historical information.
If the appropriate provincial or territorial archive, government authority, church, religious archive, or other record repository cannot locate the requested birth record, its written search results, together with other historical records identified through our research, may still provide important supporting documentation.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include census records, religious or baptismal records, marriage and death records, school records, immigration records, hospital or medical birth records, and other historical evidence that may help establish the ancestor's Canadian birth, identity, and family relationships.
For a Proof of Canadian Citizenship application, IRCC may consider alternative documents when an official birth record cannot be obtained. Applicants should also provide an explanation and evidence of their attempts to obtain the unavailable record.
Our service covers genealogical and historical research, preparation and submission of record requests, applicable standard archive/search costs, follow-up, and review of the search results. It does not guarantee that a certified historical birth record will be located or issued.
Once research and archival processing have begun, the professional service fee and applicable archive/search costs are non-refundable, including when no corresponding birth record can be located.
Canadian Historic Certified Birth Records Services →
