Vital Records Available in Alberta, Canada

The Province of Alberta was formed in 1905, but civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths in Alberta dates back to 1870 when Alberta was part of the Northwest Territories. A few, scattered birth records date back as far as 1850.

Request a Vital Record in Alberta, Canada

• Government Services, Alberta Registries
  Vital Statistics
  Box 2023
  Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W7
  Phone: (780) 427-7013

Alberta residents applying for an event that occurred in Alberta must apply through a registry agent, either in person or in writing.

Applications by non-Alberta residents for a vital event that occurred in Alberta may apply through Registry Connect.
Certificate Request for Alberta Residents

The minimum fee for a birth, marriage, or death certificate requested through a registry agent by an Alberta resident is $20 Canadian. Postage and handling, plus an agency fee is added on top, however, meaning that the actual fee charged will vary by registry agent. The cost for each certificate requested by people living outside of Alberta through Registry Connect is $40 Canadian, which includes GST and postage (except for rush delivery).

• Website: Alberta Vital Statistics

Birth Records

• Dates: From about 1850*
• Cost of copy: varies by registry agent (see above)
• Comments: When requesting the record for genealogical purposes, be sure to request a certified photocopy of a registration of birth (long form). This record will contain the name, date, and place of birth, sex, names of parents, and registration number and date, and may contain the age and/or birth date and birthplace of parents.
  Birth records in Alberta are not public until after 100 years have passed from the date of birth. To apply for a genealogical search of birth records less than 100 years old, you must be able to show that the individual is deceased and that you are an eligible next-of-kin (parent, sibling, children or spouse).

Death Records

• Dates: From about 1890*
• Cost of copy: varies by registry agent
• Comments: When requesting the record for genealogical purposes, be sure to request a certified photocopy of a registration of birth (long form). This record will generally contain the name, date, and place of death, sex, age, marital status, and registration number and date, and may contain the name of spouse, names and birthplaces of parents, usual residence, occupation and date and place of birth.
  Death records in Alberta are not public until after 50 years have passed from the date of death. To apply for a genealogical search of death records less than 50 years old, you must be able to show that you are an eligible next-of-kin (parent, sibling, children or spouse).

Marriage Records

• Dates: From about 1890
• Cost of copy: varies by registry agent
• Comments: When requesting the record for genealogical purposes, be sure to request a certified photocopy of a registration of birth (long form). This record will contain the names of bride and groom, date and place of marriage, birthplaces of bride and groom and registration number and date, and may contain the age and/or birthdate of bride and groom and the names and birthplaces of parents.
  Marriage records in Alberta are not public until after 76 years have passed from the date of marriage. To apply for a genealogical search of marriage records less than 75 years old, you must be able to show that the bride and groom are deceased and that you are an eligible next-of-kin (parent, sibling, children or spouse).

Divorce Records

• Dates: From 1867
• Cost of copy: varies
• Comments: For information on divorce proceedings in Alberta from 1867-1919 contact the Senate of Canada at the following address:
  • Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel
    Room 304
    3rd Floor
    222 Queen Street
    OTTAWA, ON K1A 0A4
    Phone: (613) 992-2416

After 1919 divorce proceedings were handled by the provincial courts. Write to the provincial courthouse for location and availability or enquire at the county courthouse concerning indexes and searches.

• Website: Alberta Courts

* Original birth records from approximately 1850 through the 1980s for some communities are in the custody of the Provincial Archives of Alberta. Transcripts of these birth certificates can be obtained for $5.00, plus GST and postage fees. This is a cheaper option than obtaining the records through Alberta Vital Statistics, but photocopies of the original records are not available - only the transcripts.