Manitoba Birth Record, Births Over 100 Years Old, for Citizenship by Descent

Manitoba Vital Statistics holds birth registrations from 1882 onward, and births more than 100 years old are open to anyone. The record comes as a certified photocopy of the original registration, stamped “Genealogical Purposes Only”.

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
Manitoba Vital Statistics Branch
What to ask for
Certified photocopy of the original registration, stamped “Genealogical Purposes Only”
What it costs
About CA$30 for each search and document. Rush: about CA$65 within Canada, CA$75 to the USA, CA$105 elsewhere.
How long
No official estimate. Regular service goes by Canada Post. Rush is processed within 3 business days and sent by courier, with delivery time on top.

How to order it

Births more than 100 years old are open to anyone. Order online, or mail the form to the Vital Statistics Branch in Winnipeg. If no record exists you get a search receipt, and the fee is not refunded.

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

Whether IRCC accepts a copy stamped “Genealogical Purposes Only”.

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More

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.