How to Order or Replace an Ontario Birth Certificate Online
Order a first or replacement Ontario birth certificate through ServiceOntario, including regular, premium, mail and urgent service options.
CA Canada
Documents & Identity ~ 13 min read
15 FAQ
Updated 2026-09-04
Helpydo structures practical guidance around official or public sources. For individual cases, confirm requirements with the responsible institution.
If your birth was registered in Ontario, you can order or replace an Ontario birth certificate through ServiceOntario online, by mail or at the designated Toronto or Ottawa ServiceOntario locations. A regular birth certificate costs $25, while a regular replacement costs $35. Regular online processing is estimated at 15 business days plus Canada Post delivery. A standard birth certificate can also be ordered using $55 premium online service with delivery within 5 business days; a premium replacement costs $65. Applicants age 9 or older need a guarantor, and you may apply for your own certificate from age 13. Ordering a replacement invalidates the previously issued certificate of that type.
What you need
- The birth must have taken place in Ontario and be registered with the Government of Ontario.
- To apply for yourself, you must be at least 13 years old.
- A parent may apply for a child if the parent is named on the child's birth registration.
- A legal guardian may apply for a child but must provide court documents proving custody or guardianship. For an online application, the supporting documents and a letter quoting the online order number must be mailed separately.
- For an online order, provide the applicant's name, mailing address and phone number.
- Provide the subject's full birth information, including given names, last or single name, date of birth, sex, city of birth and other requested birth information.
- Provide any previous legal names, if applicable, and the requested information about the subject's parents, including their names, dates of birth and places of birth.
- If the person named on the certificate is 9 years of age or older, provide an eligible guarantor or follow the alternative reference process if you cannot provide one.
- For an online application, pay with Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard or Debit Mastercard.
- If requesting emergency or expedited service, provide acceptable proof of urgency.
Eligibility
You may order an Ontario birth certificate if the birth occurred in Ontario and has been registered with the province. You can apply for your own certificate if you are 13 or older, for your child if you are named as a parent on the birth registration, or for a child if you are the legal guardian and provide the required court documents. If the person is deceased, ServiceOntario will only issue a certified copy of birth registration to an eligible next of kin, executor, estate trustee or administrator with the required supporting evidence.
How to do it
- Confirm the birth is registered in Ontario. A birth certificate cannot be issued until the Ontario birth registration exists.
- Choose the correct document type. Select a standard birth certificate, birth certificate with parental information or certified copy of birth registration according to the organization requesting the document.
- Decide whether this is a first certificate or a replacement. A replacement costs more and causes the previously issued certificate of the same type to become invalid.
- Gather the birth information. Have the subject's full name, birth date, sex, place of birth, previous legal names if applicable and requested parental information ready.
- Arrange a guarantor if required. A guarantor is required when the person named on the certificate is age 9 or older. If you cannot provide an eligible guarantor, follow ServiceOntario's alternative reference-letter procedure.
- Choose an application route. Apply through the Online Certificate Application, mail Form 007-11076 to the Office of the Registrar General, or apply in person at the designated Toronto or Ottawa ServiceOntario locations.
- Select regular or faster service if available. Standard birth certificates and certified copies can qualify for premium online service. In-person emergency service is available only at the Sheppard and Doris location in Toronto and requires proof of urgency.
- Pay the applicable fee. The amount depends on the document type, whether it is a replacement and whether regular, premium or emergency service is selected.
- Submit any supporting documents. Guardians, applicants for deceased persons and some other applicants must provide additional documentation. Online applicants may need to mail these documents with their online order number.
- Check the application status. The status of an online application is available beginning 1 business day after submission.
- Protect the replacement certificate. If a replacement is issued, the previously issued certificate of that type is no longer valid.
Who can order an Ontario birth certificate?
Ontario birth certificates are issued by the Office of the Registrar General through ServiceOntario. The birth must have occurred in Ontario and must already be registered with the province.
You can apply for:
- yourself if you are at least 13 years old;
- your child if you are named as a parent on the child's birth registration; or
- a child for whom you are the legal guardian, if you provide court documents proving custody or guardianship.
If a guardian applies online, ServiceOntario requires the supporting documentation to be mailed with a letter quoting the online order number.
Which type of Ontario birth certificate should you order?
Ontario offers 3 different birth documents. They are not interchangeable for every purpose, so check with the organization requesting the document before ordering.
Standard birth certificate
The standard certificate is an extract from the birth registration and includes the person's name, date of birth, sex, birthplace, registration information, issue date and certificate number.
Ontario recommends this version for people age 16 and older. It can be used for purposes such as applying for an adult Canadian passport, Social Insurance Number, Ontario driver's licence or Ontario health card.
Birth certificate with parental information
This version contains the information on the standard certificate plus the names and places of birth of the parent or parents.
ServiceOntario recommends it for newborns and children under 16 when parental information is required. It may be used for a child's passport, health insurance, Indian Status and certain immigration or citizenship applications.
If you are obtaining the document for a Canadian child passport, you can also review Helpydo's guide on applying for a Canadian passport for a child under 16.
Certified copy of birth registration
A certified copy reproduces the original Ontario birth registration and includes more detailed information. It is printed on legal-sized paper, endorsed as authentic by the Office of the Registrar General and contains a raised seal.
It can also show historical amendments such as name changes and corrections. It may be requested for purposes such as an overseas adoption, certain immigration or citizenship applications, or visa applications.
Because it contains more personal information than an ordinary certificate, ServiceOntario recommends sharing it only when necessary.
How much does an Ontario birth certificate cost in 2026?
As verified on September 4, 2026, current ServiceOntario fees depend on the type of document and whether you are ordering the first current certificate or replacing one already issued.
- Standard birth certificate: $25 regular online; $55 premium online.
- Replacement standard birth certificate: $35 regular online; $65 premium online.
- Birth certificate with parental information: $25 regular online.
- Replacement birth certificate with parental information: $35 regular online.
- Certified copy of birth registration: $35 regular online; $65 premium online.
- Replacement certified copy: $45 regular; $75 premium online.
Premium online service is currently not available for a birth certificate with parental information.
How long does an Ontario birth certificate take?
For regular online service, ServiceOntario currently estimates 15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post.
Where premium online service is available, the current service time is 5 business days including courier delivery.
The Ontario Online Certificate Application warns that choosing the paper/mail process adds approximately 6 to 8 weeks to processing.
ServiceOntario also warns that higher-than-normal request volumes can cause delays, so these times should be treated as published service estimates rather than a guarantee in every case.
What do you need for the online application?
For an online order, prepare:
- your first, middle and last name or single name;
- your mailing address;
- your phone number;
- the subject's full name and any previous legal names;
- date of birth;
- sex;
- city and other requested details of birth;
- the parents' names, dates of birth and places of birth;
- a guarantor if the person named on the certificate is age 9 or older; and
- a Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard or Debit Mastercard for payment.
The status of an online certificate application becomes available 1 business day after submission.
Who can be your birth certificate guarantor?
If the person named on the birth certificate is 9 years of age or older, ServiceOntario requires a guarantor to verify identity and application information.
The guarantor must:
- be a Canadian citizen;
- have known the applicant personally for at least 2 years; and
- work in or be a member of one of Ontario's approved occupations or regulated professions.
Approved guarantors include, among others, certain lawyers, physicians, nurses, dentists, teachers, police officers, professional engineers, professional accountants, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers, judges, notaries and other listed professionals or officials.
A guarantor cannot charge you a fee for acting as your guarantor.
What if you do not have an eligible guarantor?
You can still apply, but ServiceOntario states that the application will take longer.
You must provide a detailed letter explaining why you cannot provide a Canadian guarantor who has known you for more than 2 years. You must also obtain a reference letter from an acceptable person under ServiceOntario's alternative rules.
The reference letter must include the person's name, job title, address and telephone number, a statement confirming awareness of your birth certificate application and how long the person has known you, and the reference's signature and signing date.
The regular online service guarantee does not apply when the usual guarantor requirement cannot be met and supporting documentation is required.
How to order the certificate online
The fastest standard route is the official Ontario Online Certificate Application.
- Select the birth certificate application.
- Enter the applicant and birth information requested.
- Choose the appropriate certificate type.
- Indicate whether you are requesting a replacement where applicable.
- Provide guarantor information when required.
- Select the available service level.
- Pay by an accepted online payment card.
- Record your order information and receipt.
If you have supporting evidence that cannot be submitted through the online workflow, ServiceOntario may require it to be mailed separately with the online order number.
How to order by mail
If you prefer paper processing, complete the official Request for Birth Certificate, Form 007-11076.
Mail the completed application and required payment information to:
ServiceOntario
Office of the Registrar General
P.O. Box 4600
189 Red River Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 6L8
For mail applications, ServiceOntario accepts Visa, Mastercard, personal cheques and money orders in Canadian dollars issued by a Canadian financial institution.
The official Online Certificate Application currently advises that paper/mail processing requires an additional 6 to 8 weeks.
Can you apply in person?
Yes. ServiceOntario currently lists 2 locations for in-person birth certificate applications:
- Sheppard and Doris in Toronto, at 47 Sheppard Avenue East; and
- Ottawa City Hall, at 110 Laurier Avenue West.
The Toronto Sheppard and Doris location is the only location that accepts emergency-service applications.
How do you replace a lost, stolen or damaged certificate?
You can use the same online certificate application to order a replacement.
A regular replacement standard birth certificate costs $35, compared with $25 for the regular non-replacement certificate. A replacement birth certificate with parental information is also $35. A regular replacement certified copy of birth registration costs $45.
Ontario limits the number of active birth documents for security. When you or another authorized person orders a replacement, the previously issued certificate of that type is no longer valid.
Can you get an Ontario birth certificate faster online?
Premium online service is currently available for eligible standard birth certificates and certified copies of birth registration.
For a standard birth certificate, premium online service costs $55 and is listed as 5 business days including courier delivery. A premium replacement standard certificate costs $65.
For a certified copy of birth registration, premium service costs $65 and a premium replacement costs $75.
Premium service is currently unavailable for birth certificates with parental information.
When can you use emergency birth certificate service?
Emergency in-person service is available only at the ServiceOntario location at 47 Sheppard Avenue East in Toronto. You must provide proof that the request is urgent.
ServiceOntario lists examples of acceptable urgency evidence including:
- documentation of a medical emergency;
- a letter confirming new employment;
- a consulate or embassy letter confirming an appointment;
- airline tickets, reservations or a travel itinerary;
- a letter confirming an immigration hearing appointment;
- a wedding invitation where the applicant is a party to the marriage; or
- a letter from a Registered Education Savings Plan dealer.
Eligible emergency service for a standard birth certificate or certified copy is currently listed at 5 business days including courier delivery.
When emergency service is not available
ServiceOntario states that emergency service is not available for:
- birth certificates with parental information;
- births within the first 16 weeks; or
- births before 1930.
A request for a birth before 1930 may take up to 8 weeks to process.
Can you upgrade an existing regular application to urgent service?
If you already submitted a regular online or mail application and later need the certificate urgently, ServiceOntario allows eligible applications to be expedited.
You must provide proof of urgency and submit the required certificate-services request. The current additional fee is $30 per certificate.
The birth must already be registered in Ontario, and your application must be complete and correct.
What certificate should you order for a child?
For most purposes involving a child under 16, ServiceOntario says the parent or guardian normally needs the birth certificate with parental information.
This is commonly used for a child's Canadian passport because it identifies the parent or parents. Always confirm the exact document required by the agency receiving it before placing an order.
What if you are the child's legal guardian?
A legal guardian can apply if they provide court documents establishing custody or guardianship.
If the application is submitted online, ServiceOntario instructs the guardian to mail the supporting documents together with a letter that quotes the online order number.
What should adoptive parents enter on the application?
Adoptive parents should provide the names of the adoptive parents and the adopted person's current legal name.
ServiceOntario states that a birth certificate with parental information or certified copy of birth registration cannot be issued in this situation unless the original birth registration has been replaced by a substituted birth registration.
Can you order a birth certificate for a deceased person?
For a deceased person, ServiceOntario will only issue a certified copy of birth registration, not an ordinary birth certificate.
The applicant must be an eligible next of kin, executor or estate administrator and provide the required supporting evidence, which can include a death certificate or funeral director's proof of death and any other documents ServiceOntario requests.
Eligible next of kin include parents, a spouse or common-law partner, children and siblings. If all immediate next of kin are deceased, certain extended relatives or their authorized representative may apply.
Replacement versus correcting information on a certificate
Ordering a replacement does not correct information on the underlying birth registration.
If information on the registration is wrong or must be changed, you need the Office of the Registrar General's separate registration-amendment process. Once an approved amendment is recorded, future birth certificates or certified copies will reflect the amended information.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ordering before the birth is registered: Ontario cannot issue a certificate until the birth registration exists.
- Choosing the wrong certificate type: confirm whether the receiving organization needs a standard certificate, parental information or a certified copy.
- Using a third-party certificate website: ServiceOntario warns that private companies may charge more than the official government service.
- Forgetting the guarantor: applicants need guarantor information when the person named on the certificate is age 9 or older.
- Assuming a replacement leaves the previous certificate valid: the previous certificate of the same type becomes invalid when the replacement is issued.
- Using emergency service without evidence: proof of urgency is required.
- Expecting parental-information certificates to qualify for premium service: premium and emergency service are currently unavailable for that certificate type.
- Trying to correct a registration by ordering a new certificate: corrections require the separate amendment process.
What happens after you order?
For an online application, you can check the application status beginning 1 business day after submission.
ServiceOntario may contact you if additional information is required. Applications involving guardianship, deceased persons, alternative guarantor arrangements or other special circumstances may require supporting documents and can take longer.
Once issued, protect the certificate as an identity document. If the order was for a replacement, do not use the previous certificate because Ontario considers it invalid.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Ontario birth certificate cost in 2026?
A regular standard Ontario birth certificate costs $25. A regular replacement costs $35. A birth certificate with parental information costs $25 or $35 for a replacement, while a certified copy of birth registration costs $35 or $45 for a replacement.
How long does an Ontario birth certificate take online?
Regular online service is currently estimated at 15 business days plus Canada Post delivery. Eligible premium online orders are processed and delivered by courier within 5 business days.
Can I replace a lost Ontario birth certificate online?
Yes. ServiceOntario's Online Certificate Application can be used to order a replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged birth certificate.
Does my old Ontario birth certificate remain valid after I order a replacement?
No. ServiceOntario states that when an authorized person orders a replacement, the previously issued certificate of that type is no longer valid.
How old do I have to be to order my own Ontario birth certificate?
You can apply for your own Ontario birth certificate if you are at least 13 years old.
Do I need a guarantor to order an Ontario birth certificate?
A guarantor is required if the person named on the birth certificate is 9 years old or older.
What if I cannot find an eligible birth certificate guarantor?
ServiceOntario allows an alternative process using a detailed explanation letter and an acceptable reference letter. The application will take longer and the normal online service guarantee does not apply.
What birth certificate should I order for a child under 16?
ServiceOntario recommends the birth certificate with parental information for most purposes involving children under 16, including situations where parental information is required for a child's passport.
Can I get an Ontario birth certificate in 5 business days?
Eligible standard birth certificates and certified copies can use premium online service with 5-business-day courier delivery. Emergency in-person service is also available for eligible requests at the Toronto Sheppard and Doris ServiceOntario location with proof of urgency.
How much is a rush Ontario birth certificate?
Premium online service for a standard birth certificate costs $55, or $65 for a replacement. Premium service for a certified copy of birth registration costs $65, or $75 for a replacement.
Can I get an urgent birth certificate with parental information?
No. ServiceOntario currently states that premium online and emergency service are not available for birth certificates with parental information.
Can I apply for an Ontario birth certificate by mail?
Yes. Complete Ontario Form 007-11076 and mail it to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay. The official online application advises that paper/mail processing adds approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
Where can I apply for an Ontario birth certificate in person?
ServiceOntario currently accepts in-person applications at the Sheppard and Doris location in Toronto and at Ottawa City Hall. Only the Toronto location accepts emergency-service applications.
Can I order a birth certificate for someone who has died?
For a deceased person, only a certified copy of birth registration can be issued. The applicant must qualify as next of kin, executor or estate administrator and provide the required supporting documents.
Can I check my Ontario birth certificate application status online?
Yes. ServiceOntario states that the status of an online application becomes available 1 business day after submission.
Official sources
Government of Ontario - Get or replace an Ontario birth certificateServiceOntario - Online Certificate ApplicationGovernment of Ontario - Choosing a guarantor for a birth certificateGovernment of Ontario - Request for Birth Certificate Form 007-11076Government of Ontario - Official government ID and certificatesOntario e-Laws - Vital Statistics ActRelated procedures
Useful next steps and closely related guides for Canada.
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