Delayed Registration of Birth


When a birth is not registered within one year from the date of the event, as per legislation, it must be processed as a delayed registration. These types of registrations require that evidence is provided to Vital Statistics to support that this event occurred in Alberta.  Typically, a delayed registration of birth is a two step process.

The first step to initiate a delayed birth registration is to provide Vital Statistics with details concerning the event. This information should include:

  • Name of the person whose birth is being registered

  • Sex of the person whose birth is being registered

  • Date and place of birth of the person whose birth is being registered

  • Name of the person’s biological birth mother

  • Date the events recorded in the document occurred

Once Vital Statistics has received the pertinent information about the birth, Vital Statistics will advise you that the next step is to submit evidence/proof that confirms the date the event took place and where the event occurred in Alberta.  As each delayed registration is subject to different circumstances, below are merely a few examples of evidence/proof that you may be required to submit, however, further documentation and proof may be required to process the registration.

Acceptable Evidence for a Delayed Registration of Birth

Some examples of proof/evidence that you may be requested to submit:

  • A copy or record from a hospital or clinic

  • A copy of a document issued by the federal, provincial or municipal government

  • A copy of any school or public record

  • A copy of an immigration or consular record

  • A copy of a baptismal certificate which contains the name and contact information of the religious organization that is responsible for the document

Once the delayed registration of birth process has begun, Vital Statistics will work closely with you to provide the exact documentation, details of the evidence and fee that will be required to process the delayed registration.  Vital Statistics must review the evidence submitted to determine acceptability. For further information or clarification in regards to a delayed registration of birth, please contact the Vital Statistics office.