• Becoming a Parent
  • Adoption Information
  • Choosing a Last Name for Your Child
  • Delayed Registration of Alberta Vital Events
  • Guidelines for Choosing a Given Name or Last Name for Your Child
  • Making Corrections to a Registration
  • Ordering a Birth Certificate/Document
  • Registration of Births
• Dealing With Death
• Getting Married
• Statistical Information
• Stillbirth Information
• Vital Statistics Searches
• Common Questions - Vital Statistics
• Forms and Publications - Vital Statistics

Registration of Births

All Alberta births must be registered. It is the responsibility of the mother, or if the parents are married, either parent to complete a Registration of Birth form. In some circumstances, a person who has full knowledge of the facts surrounding the birth may also complete the Registration of Birth form.

The birth registration should be left with the hospital where the child was born, so that the document can be forwarded from there to Vital Statistics. The birth registration must be sent to the Vital Statistics office within 10 days of the date of the child's birth. Only under special circumstances can the parent(s) mail this registration directly to Vital Statistics.

The Registration of Birth form becomes a permanent legal record of the birth event. It is very important that it be completed fully and accurately. The information recorded on the Registration of Birth is used to produce birth certificates, when ordered.

Alberta's laws allow the parent(s) various options when choosing the child's last name. The last name of the child is based on the relationship and marital status of the parents. Some restrictions may apply. Refer to Choosing a Last Name for Your Child as well as Guidelines for Choosing a Given Name or Last Name for Your Child.

Once a birth is legally registered, corrections or alterations may only be completed with the appropriate documentation and statutory declarations. If an amendment is requested within 90 days from the date of event (birth, marriage, death), there is no fee. Fees may be applicable on amendments requested after the 90 days.

When you register your newborn’s birth, you have the option to also apply for your child’s Social Insurance Number (SIN) at the same time. A SIN is required to access various Albertan and Canadian government benefits and programs such as the Registered Education Savings Plan, the Canada Learning Bond and the Canada Education Savings Grant and the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan Program. Information about the federal programs can be obtained at the CanLearn website (external site). Information about the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan can be found at Aces Plan or by calling 1-866-515-ACES (2237). To apply for a child’s SIN, simply add your signature in the “request for a Social Insurance Number for my Child” section found at the bottom of the Registration of Birth form. When completed, this is considered the SIN application for your child. The information will be sent to Service Canada over a secure network after the birth has been registered. There is no fee to apply.

To use this service to apply for your child’s SIN, you must 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.

Further information about the Social Insurance Number program can be obtained at the Service Canada website (external site). This service is only available when registering a child's birth under the age of one.