Vital Statistics

Certificates, licences and registrations

Apply for a Birth Certificate

A Birth Certificate is a legal record of a birth that took place in Nova Scotia. The certificate may be used as proof of identity.

Apply for a Death Certificate

A Death Certificate is a legal record of a death that took place in Nova Scotia. The certificate may be used as proof of death.

Apply for a Domestic Partnership Certificate

A Domestic Partnership Certificate is a legal record of a domestic partnership. The certificate may be used as proof of domestic partnership.

Apply for a Marriage Certificate

A Marriage Certificate is a legal record of a marriage that took place in Nova Scotia. The certificate may be used as proof of marriage.

Apply for a Marriage Licence

You need to have a Marriage Licence before you can get married in Nova Scotia.

Find a Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences

List of Deputy Issuers registered with Vital Statistics. A Deputy Issuer is authorized to issue a Marriage Licence.

Register a birth

All births that take place in Nova Scotia need to be registered with Vital Statistics.

Register a death

Funeral directors need to submit required documents to Vital Statistics for all deaths that take place in Nova Scotia. Vital Statistics registers the death.

Register a marriage

Religious officiants, justices of the peace and judges need to submit required documents to Vital Statistics for all marriages that take place in Nova Scotia. Vital Statistics registers the marriage.

Register your domestic partnership

Register your domestic partnership to get many of the same rights as married couples.

Terminate (end) your domestic partnership

Apply to terminate (end) your domestic partnership.

Fees and payments

Vital Statistics fees for certificates, licences and services

Fees for Vital Statistics certificates, licences, amendments (changes) and other services.

Identity

Change your name or the name of your spouse or child

Apply to legally change your name or the name of your spouse or child.

Change your sex indicator if you’re 15 or younger

Apply to change your sex indicator if you identify with a gender that’s different from the sex shown on your Birth Registration.

Change your sex indicator if you’re 16 or older

Apply to change your sex indicator if you identify with a gender that’s different from the sex shown on your Birth Registration.

Reports and guides

Vital Statistics annual report 2017

Birth, death and marriage statistics in Nova Scotia for 2017.

What to do when someone passes away: obtaining benefits and closing accounts

Guidelines on what to do and who to contact about eligibility for benefits and closing a deceased person’s government accounts, programs, services and benefits.