Applying for an Alberta Birth Certificate

Your Alberta birth certificate is a very 'powerful' and useful document. If you really think about it, your Alberta birth certificate immediately signifies 'who you are'. An Alberta birth certificate has myriad uses as it is often asked for when you apply for a passport, get married or just about anything that requires you to prove your identity.

Who Can Ask for an Alberta Birth Certificate?

To apply for an Alberta birth certificate, you need to go through an authorized Alberta registry agent such as AlbertaRegistry.net. Note too that not just anybody can ask for an Alberta birth certificate because the information contained therein is extremely important. Only the following can ask for an Alberta birth certificate.

·         The person whose name appears on the Alberta birth certificate.

·         The parent(s) of the person whose name appears on the Alberta birth certificate.

·         The trustee, guardian or a person with power of attorney over the person whose name appears on the Alberta birth certificate. (In this instance, documented proof is required.)

·         Any person who has with him or her a written authorization from the person whose name appears on the Alberta birth certificate or his/her parents.

·         Any person who carries with him or her an order from the court.

·         A person or couple seeking to adopt a child. In this situation, the potential parents may seek the Alberta birth certificate of the child they want to adopt to check his or her biological parents. This particular request for an Alberta birth certificate requires documents showing proof of pending adoption procedures.

·         An adult next-of-kin of the person whose name appears on the Alberta birth certificate may also request such a document provided proof of relationship is presented.

·         The child of a next-of-kin can also ask for another person's Alberta birth certificate provided that person mentioned on the Alberta birth certificate is deceased and proof that no other eligible requesters are present to make the request.

·         The executor of one's estate, when the person whose name appears on the Alberta birth certificate is deceased.

·         Anyone who needs an Alberta birth certificate to comply with the Child Welfare Act or the Parentage and Maintenance Act.

Ordering an Alberta Birth Certificate

To apply for your Alberta birth certificate, download the Application for Certificate form from authorized online registry agents such as www.albertaregistry.net. Fill out the form thoroughly and then submit it to the registry agent who will then take up the request with the Alberta Vital Statistics office in your behalf. Once the registry agent or the Alberta Vital Statistics office receives your Alberta birth certificate application, it is processed within two to three business days.

If you need your Alberta birth certificate sooner than 2-3 days, mention this to your registry agent who will make special arrangements for you. Note that this may require the charging of extra fees.

Alberta Birth Certificate - Certified or Photocopy?

When you apply for your Alberta birth certificate, you can ask for a Certified Copy or a Photocopy. Certified copies are required if your purpose is to prove your identity. Photocopies on the other hand, are available but seldom asked for as they are mostly used for genealogical, court or consulate purposes. The print size of a photocopy of your Alberta birth certificate is 21.5 x 28 cm (8.5 x 11 in.). The photocopy is not just a simple scan though; it will have with it an official raised seal and red stamp at the back, which claims that it is a certified true copy of the original Alberta birth certificate registration.