The Vital Statistics Agency registers all births, marriages, deaths, and changes of name that occur in British Columbia. The certificates (and replacement certificates) are issued by the agency and are legal proof of these vital events. Many consumers register these life events themselves, directly through the Vital Statistics website, but there are also third-party, private businesses that advertise their ability to get these certificates for consumers. We’ve had calls from consumers lately asking about these third-party businesses that offer to order birth certificates on the behalf of consumers. Here are some tips to consider around ordering a birth certificate.
- Be informed about who you’re working with. Whether you want to order the certificate yourself, directly through Vital Statistics, or you want to order through a private, third-party, it’s important to be informed about who you’re working with.
- Read the fine print. If you choose to use a third-party business to get your certificate, read the fine print so you understand exactly what you’re paying for, agreeing to and receiving in return. What happens if your application is lost in the mail, or rejected by the Vital Statistics Agency? Are you still responsible for the fees?
- Know the signs of a scam. While there may be many legit third-party businesses out there, acting as agents to get your birth certificate from Vital Statistics, it’s always important to be cautious. Check to see if the company is claiming to be government-affiliated, read online reviews and watch out for phishing scams.
For more information about the Vital Statistics Agency, please visit their website.
ADDITIONAL READING:
A fraud warning from Passport Canada
A scam warning from Canada Revenue Agency
Going on parental leave?
My brother had to send his birth certificate when he applied for a passport, when things came back from the passport office, they had sent him a birth certificate belonging to a woman from PQ. After hours on the phone, and letters, he was pretty much told by the Passport Dept, we have no idea where your birth certificate is, and no we will not pay for a replacement one, in other words too bad so sad.. you are on your own. So he still is with out his certificate of birth.
Hi Donna, Do you know where the certificate was ordered from?
I believe he sent to Ottawa for it, he lives in Northern BC, in the town of Houston. So anything you try to do there means a trip to Prince George to get to any sort of a centre,some things are available in Smithers and others in Terrace, to confuse things more, he is rarely home he works in northern Alberta. He is nearing retirement age and will need his birth for pensions, or his wife will need it if he passes away.
If there is something that can be done to help him I can get more specific information. BYE the way, He sent the the lady’s certificate back to Ottawa, think she would also be looking for hers.
I ordered a BC birth certificate from BC Express Legal – I was in a rush and thought this was the actual BC Vital Statistics website. I had to fill out a form and scan and send it back. I paid $134 for a long-form certificate and rush fee. Fast forward 3 weeks and I have no certificate and the customer service of BC Express Legal gave me a reference number that is not recognized by any postal service (not Canada Post, not the Belgian post, not FedEx – which they claim they sent the document with – not UPS and not DHL). No one at BC Express Legal seems unduly concerned that I have no certificate and no record of it being shipped and none of the information they have given me since has been even slightly correct.
I’ve now ordered another certificate direct from BC Vital Statistics website on this page – the process was much easier and cost less. I hope I get it this time.
Please learn from my expensive mistake and avoid BC Express Legal! Absolute scam.
We called this outfit three times and all we got was an answering machine. Two times we left a message with no follow up. We sent an email with no response. That was over a week ago.
They wanted 100.00 for a marriage certificate. We got it from a legitimate Government agency for 50.00.
My strong suggestion is … do not play around with this place or waste your time. You won’t get anywhere and in all probability you’re going to get burned!!!
Hi Graham, thank you for sharing that information with us. While we do like to share information about scams and fraud, Consumer Protection BC doesn’t have any authority in those areas. You may be interested in reporting this to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre so that they are aware of it. Here is their number: 1-888-495-8501. I hope this information helps!
Hi,
FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY!
I want to report that I ordered a birth certificate replacement from canadianbirthcertificate.com for my daughter in order to renew her passport. This passport is required for a trip which has been booked and paid for. I paid $100 for their ‘rush’ (three day) service.
A week-and-a-half later I have not received this birth certificate, and we are now in danger of not having the passport processed in time for my daughter to come with us on the trip!
I have now had to order my daughter’s birth certificate directly from BC Vital Statistics for $60. BC Vital Statistics reported they had not received a request from any agency for a birth certificate to be processed. The fraudulent agency is now only refunding me $40.
Please make sure others do not use this service because they will rip you off!!! Can they be shut down?
G.H.
i used canadianbirthcertificate.com and have not received anything no emails, no receipts, nothing only my card statements is the only proof they exist what a scam
I was lead to believe that “vitalcertificates.ca” was a legit “government sanctioned” company. I ordered a birth certificate in early August, after many phone calls a month later, (they NEVER answer their phones) with me begging them to email me instead, they said that they needed more information – proof of address. Now in the middle of October, they are asking for permission to apply for the certificate on my behalf since its been so long since I applied, the permission form has now expired and I have to resubmit it. That got me thinking – “are they ever going to give me my birth certificate?” So I have asked for a refund…I doubt I will get one – they have been an absolute nightmare to deal with!
Hi Jessie, The Vital Statistics Agency registers all births, marriages, deaths, and changes of name that occur in British Columbia. They are a legitimate agency. Know that the official website for the Vital Statistics Agency website is: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events. I think the one you reference may be a third party company. You can email them here: https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/exforms/vs/general-inquiries.html or contact them by phone at Victoria: 250 952-2681 or Toll-Free within B.C.: 1 888 876-1633. I hope this is helpful!
We had same experience with Jessie. vitalcertificates.ca came up the first when we googled, and it appears to be Gov’t agency. They are a third party business, took money right away but we never get the certificate you requested. It has been 3 months already. We had left view to company but they took out all the google reviews.
BE Aware, go to Gov’t vital agency to request, it faster and cheaper.
yes – stay away from vitalcertificates.ca – I gave them my money and have no certificate the show – they are a total scam!
I agree!
I am currently in the same boat with these a**holes from vital certificates. Faxed in my info Tuesday night and they took $120 put of my account Wednesday. I also thought this was a legit thing and through the government. It says vital statistics on there but I never actually read everything on the application (bc address, vital certificate etc). Only way I found out was by calling vital statistics today to find out how much longer it’ll take since they got my money already. That’s when the lady told me nothing was on file and this was a third party. Called my bank and they’re going to look into it bit it can take up to 55 days. O don’t quite understand how these third party things don’t get stopped since they’re claiming to do things for the GOVERNMENT!
AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS.
Go to the governments vital statistics branch and obtain the information. I provided my information and made payment for a birth certificate three months ago. Nothing materialized. When I asked they directed me to the provincial vital statistics branch. Why, you may ask. Because they merely forward your documents (or maybe not) to the province for them to issue the documentation. This company does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. My best guess is that it has a pretty website and is one or two guys getting a laugh at how much people are willing to pay them to do nothing!
Again, AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS!
Hi i used canadianbirthcertificate.com paid them $100 for a rush order 2 months later nothing just my money gone and me being worried to load up this one card again in case im going to get robbed next by having my info out there….
I just made the mistake of using Vital Certificates and called my credit card to put a hold on the payment. They want me to call back because it hasn’t been processed yet but what do I do about my information being out there?
Hi Amanda – sounds like you caught it very early so hopefuly the credit card company will be able to reverse the charges for you. In terms of your personal information, the only thing you could do is to check your credit report in a few months to make sure that there are no unknown loans or credit card reported. We’ve written a blog post about how to check your credit reports for free here. We usually recommended checking your credit reports at least once a year anyways and written copies that get sent to you in the mail do not cost you any money. I hope this information helps!
I can’t believe I just fell for this, has anyone used Vital Certificates who actually received a legit certificate?
Took me almost 3 months to get my certificates from VITALCERTIFICATES.CA. I need those certificates authenticated, and could never get through via phone or an email response to ask about the authentication process. I wish I had known what a scam they are and I should have ordered directly from my provincial vital statistics (but didn’t know). I’d recommend everyone to stay away from these third party sites. Now I have these certificates but Ottawa only accepts certificates directly from the vital statistics office. I’m thinking I may have to re-order the certificates from a real vital statistics office and pay again. Education costs money, lol
Thanks for sharing this, Corrie.