Apply for Birth Certificate | Life In Canada

If you're looking to emigrate to the Great White North, you must have a birth certificate in Canada for proof of identification, which will also allow access to various benefits and services such as pensions and to apply for a passport.

For children, you must register the certificate in the province or territory where your child was born. Note the criteria or processes when registering or applying for the certificate may vary, depending on the province or territory your child is born in.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the processes involved when applying for a Canadian birth certificate, eligibility factors and applications for permanent residence programs (PRs) immigration programs such as the Express Entry.

What is a Birth Certificate, and Why is it Important?

Canadian birth certificate

Not only is your birth certificate a document that proves you exist as a person. Without this document, you can be deemed invisible in your country. In addition, the document will state the person's date of birth, name, and place of birth; therefore, it is a record of the person's birth.

Understandably, those born in Canada will naturally be Canadian citizens. Still, those applying from outside of Canada (foreign nationals) with their birth certificate of their country will be subject to certain criteria and processes required by the Canadian government.

Depending on the country you're residing in, you may be subject to different procedures when applying for permanent residence. For example, some programs, such as the Canadian sponsorship programs, will require you to provide a birth certificate to prove that you are the parent at birth.

What is a Canadian Citizenship Certificate?

While you cannot apply for a Canadian birth certificate, since this would be a document you already possess based in your home country, you can apply for a citizenship certificate. This document will prove your Canadian citizenship and allow you to access various services and benefits, or you can apply for a passport. However, remember that the certificate does not constitute a travel document, as you must still have a valid passport or travel document.

Eligibility Factors for Canadian Citizenship Certificate

You can apply for your Canadian citizenship certificate if you:

A Canadian citizen and want to pass it down to your child who was born outside Canada.
You must provide a document that proves your Canadian citizenship—for example, a Canadian passport, job, pension or social insurance number.
Want to replace a lost, damaged or a certificate that was.
Have any information that could affect the status of your certificate, and if such information will require you to update your certificate. For example, a legal name change.

Can I get a Certificate for Someone Born Outside Canada?

apply for a birth certificate in Canada

You can get a citizenship certificate if you have one legal parent at birth, have a biological parent born in Canada, or a parent who became a naturalized Canadian citizen before the person was born. A naturalized Canadian citizen is a person who makes applications for permanent residence programs and after that, undergo a formal process to become a Canadian citizen.

If you want to know more about Canadian citizenship, feel free to explore our guide on Canadian citizenship requirements and who can apply. Furthermore, our knowledgeable Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) can guide you throughout the process.

How to Apply Online for a Canadian Birth Certificate

If you're residing in Canada and birthed a child within one of the Canadian provinces/territories, you must register your newborn's birth to receive a Canadian birth certificate.

Because the processes and requirements differ from one Canadian province to another for a Canadian birth certificate, we have listed the relevant Canadian provincial government websites below with their respective registration processes:

Applications for Permanent Residence Programs

Canadian citizenship
If you want to immigrate and settle in Canada, you need to apply for permanent residence and ensure you are informed about the suitable programs you can apply to. Below we highlight one of the most popular permanent residence pathways.

What is the Express Entry System?

The Express Entry is an online points-driven system that enables candidates to immigrate to Canada quicker as opposed to other immigration pathways - this is what sets the system aside from the rest. The system comprises three flexible immigration programs under the Express Entry.
These are as follows:

You can learn more about how to go from temporary residence to permanent residence here.

How to Apply for Permanent Residence

The steps for applications for permanent residence programs are as follows below:

Step 1: Ensure you are eligible for the program before applying and do an eligibility assessment with our immigration experts.
Step 2: Secure a valid job offer and get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)from your employer - this will improve your chances of being successful in your application for permanent residence. Additionally, you must create your online profile and ensure that the information you provide on your profile will help you gain a good Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS).
Step 3: Check your CRS score under the Express Entry or other points-driven programs to ensure you have maintained a good score.
Step 4: Gather the necessary documents in advance.
Step 5: Apply to the program of your choice, pay your application fee and submit your application.

Note: We advise candidates to exercise honesty in the information they are provided on their applications. If you are dishonest, your application will either be rejected or returned to you, which will cause a delay in processing times.

Furthermore, you can find out more about your options if your Canadian visa is rejected.

Apply for your Canadian Birth Certificate or Canadian Citizenship Certificate Today

We have taken you through the process of Canadian birth certificates and provided you with the necessary procedures for each province, potential immigration pathways and the application process for permanent residence. If you are still uncertain about the way forward, contact our immigration experts, who are well-equipped with knowledge and experience in Canadian immigration.

Canadian birth certificate rejected

FAQS

Can you Apply for a Birth Certificate in Canada by Mail?

You can apply for a birth certificate in Canada by mail, but this can only be done after the registration of the birth certificate.

How Long Does Processing a Birth Certificate take?

The processing times may differ province to province, and the situation or circumstances may influence processing times. However, our immigration experts can assist with this process.

Do you Automatically get Canadian Citizenship by Birth?

If you birthed a child in Canada, you must register your child to receive a Canadian birth certificate, and your child will have citizenship since they were born in the country. However, if the parent does not have citizenship, they may still be subject to certain processes.