The Office of the Registrar General (ORG) is responsible for issuing birth certificates for people born in Ontario. A birth certificate is a “foundation identity document” that is required to apply for other forms of identification, such as social insurance numbers or health cards. Please follow the links below for more information on birth certificates.

How do I register a birth in Ontario?

Step One
After you give birth, the hospital or midwife will give you a form called a Statement of Live Birth. This is your child’s permanent identity record. Fill out the form, ensuring the information is clear and accurate.

Step two
Once you’ve completed and carefully reviewed the Statement of Live Birth, the parent(s) must sign the form as indicated.

If the father’s information is provided, both parents must sign and certify the form. If the father’s information is not provided, only the mother may sign the form.

Please be advised that it is an offence to sign someone else’s name to the form. If one of the parents is unavailable, send the form to him/her to be signed and returned (originals only).

Step three
Forward the Statement of Live Birth to the Division Registrar’s (municipal) office in the city where your baby was born. The Division Registrar will forward the form to the Office of the Registrar General to register the birth with the province.

Step four
Once the birth is registered, you will receive a Notice of Birth Registration in the mail. 
Service times.

Step five
When your child’s birth is registered, you may apply for his/her birth certificate. 

Do you need a first-time birth certificate?

Before you apply for a birth certificate, you must register your child’s birth. 

When you receive a Notice of Birth Registration, check it over carefully to ensure everything is accurate. To apply for a birth certificate, follow these steps:

1. Complete the online birth certificate application or access the application from the Office of the Registrar General, Land Registry Offices and Government Information Centres.
2. Arrange to have a guarantor sign your application.
3. Send the form to the Office of the Registrar General with the proper fee.

Do you need a replacement birth certificate?

To apply for a replacement birth certificate for a person born in Ontario, there are 4 steps:

1. Complete online an application for a birth certificate or access the application from the Office of the Registrar General, Land Registry Offices and Government Information Centres.
2. Indicate on the form whether you want a small-size birth certificate (wallet-sized) or a certified copy (long form).
3. Arrange to have a guarantor sign your application
4. Send the form to the Office of the Registrar General with the proper fee.

Do you need a certified copy (long form) of your birth certificate?

You may need a certified copy (long form) of a birth certificate if:

• Your employer requires it
• You are moving to another country
• You are filling out certain citizenship documents

To apply for a certified copy (long form) birth certificate for a person born in Ontario, there are four steps:

1. Complete online an application for a birth certificate or access the application from the Office of the Registrar General, Land Registry Offices and Government Information Centres.
2. Indicate on the form that you want a certified copy (long form).
3. Arrange to have a guarantor sign your application. 
4. Send the form to ORG with the proper fee.