Changes to the Vital Statistics Act and Regulations, made during the spring sitting of the House of Assembly, support the Provincial Government’s commitment to enhance consumer protection and improve the overall experience of government services.
Effective October 1, amendments come into effect which ensure that anyone requiring vital statistics documentation through an external third party receives it for the same cost at which it is offered by the Provincial Government. The changes help ensure residents who require vital statistics documentation are not being taken advantage of through third-party agents, and protect consumers from expensive, unsecure application processes.
The cost to apply to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for a copy of a birth, marriage or death certificate is $35 (or $30 online). In some instances, third parties apply for documentation on behalf of clients, but must go through the province’s website to apply. Many of these third parties then charge the client a premium in excess of the online fee.
The amendments also provide a definition for a designated agent to obtain information on their behalf, who must have known the party for at least one year, be 19 years or older, and provide authorization in writing to the Vital Statistics Division. A listing of agents outside the Provincial Government who have been designated to provide this service at the same online $30 cost to consumers is available online. Please see, “Who is Entitled to Apply for a Birth Certificate”.
Also, current legislation places restrictions on who can apply for a marriage certificate when one of the parties to a marriage is deceased. Additional changes to the Act will now allow for a child, parent or sibling of the deceased to apply for the required certificate.
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“Enhancing consumer protection is an important component of the department’s mandate and our government’s overarching vision for the province. Ensuring that companies are not taking advantage of our residents who require vital statistics documentation aligns with this objective.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL
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Learn more
Vital Statistics Division – Online Services
News Release: Changes to Vital Statistics Act Would Allow for Change of Sex Designation
News Release: Vital Statistics Services Expanded for Francophone Residents
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Media contact
Krista Dalton
Digital Government and Service NL
709-729-4748, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca