Alberta Birth Document, Births in the Last 120 Years, for Citizenship by Descent

For Alberta births within the last 120 years, Alberta Vital Statistics offers three documents: personal information only, personal information and parentage, and a photocopy of the registration. The parentage version is the one that shows the parents’ names and birthplaces.

This is the Canadian-side record for one ancestor. Citizenship by descent needs a record for every generation in your line, from you back to that ancestor.

The short answer

Who has it
Alberta Vital Statistics, through registry agents, Registry Connect or AMA
What to ask for
“Personal Information and Parentage” (shows parents), or “Photocopy of Registration”
What it costs
CA$20 government fee per document, plus a service fee that varies by agent.
How long
Processed within 3 business days of receipt when the application is complete, plus mailing.

How to order it

From outside Alberta, mail the completed form and a notarized statutory declaration to Registry Connect or AMA. The page lists the person, parents, guardians, lawyers and next of kin of a deceased person as applicants.

Where people get stuck

  • A record for a person who died 50 or more years ago goes through the Provincial Archives of Alberta, even if the birth is less than 120 years old.

What IRCC wants for every document

  • IRCC asks for authentic, verifiable documents for every generation, from you back to the Canadian-born ancestor. Repeat this lookup for each link in the chain.
  • If an official birth certificate does not exist, IRCC may accept a baptismal, hospital, census or boat-manifest record, with a written explanation of why the certificate is unavailable.
  • Records not in English or French need a translation with the translator’s sworn statement.
  • Family-tree website printouts are not accepted as proof.

What we have not confirmed yet

Which of the three documents IRCC prefers.

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Fees and times are approximate, checked against official pages on 2026-10-06. Confirm with each office before ordering. Legal questions go to a licensed Canadian lawyer or consultant.