Death Registration Certificates

All deaths in the province of Alberta must be registered with the Alberta government. This must be completed in order to have a death certificate issued. 

Registering a death can occur up to one year after the death without incurring a fee. After one year, a registration fee will be applied. A death not registered within a year of the death may also require additional evidence of the death.

Registering a death is usually the responsibility of a relative or person who knew the deceased. To do so, the person completes the Registration of Death form. This form is usually completed at the funeral home while the funeral arrangements are being made. The funeral director and/or funeral home staff are happy to assist in completing the form. The funeral home will register the death by sending the original documents to Vital Statistics. Once the death is registered, you can order a death certificate and other death documents. 

The following information is included on a death certificate issued in Alberta:

• Full name of the deceased
• Age at time of death
• Date and Place of Death
• Gender of the deceased
• Marital status at time of death
• Known place of residence at time of death
• Death Registration number
• Death Registration Date
• Certificate Issue date

Information on the death certificate is taken from the Registration of Death form. If this information was incorrect, the information can be amended by vital statistics.

In order to amend a record, the following information is required:

• Evidence supporting the incorrect information
• An Affidavit which you will have to complete with a Notary Public

There may be a cost associated with amendments to death documents depending on various factors and the time after the registration that the amendment is being made. Contact vital statistics for more information.

To make a request for an amendment, complete the Request to Amend an Alberta Vital Statistics Registration form and submit it with the supporting documents to Vital Statistics. 

If a medical certificate of death was issued at the time of death, a copy of the certificate can be obtained. This document contains the medical information related to the cause of death. A medical certificate of death includes the following information:

• Full name of the deceased
• Age at time of death
• Date of death
• Place of death
• Gender of the deceased
• Medical cause of death
• Name of physician or medical examiner completing the certificate
• Registration number

A copy of the medical certificate can be issued to the following applicants:

• An executor or representative of the deceased’s personal estate
• The next-of-kin of the deceased:
• Parent
• Child
• Spouse
• Sibling
• Adult interdependent partner
• Former spouse or partner of the deceased
• Former guardian of the deceased
• Relative of the deceased if there are no next of kin
• A person in possession of a court order for the certificate
• A lawyer representing any of the people outlined above
• A person who was a joint tenant of land prior to the death of the deceased
• An organization or company with some particular interest in the deceased

Contact Vital Statistics:

Vital Statistics

PO Box 2023

Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W7

Email: vs@gov.ab.ca

Toll free TTY: 1-800-232-7215