What's the difference between Ontario long-form and short-form birth certificates?

The long-form includes the child's name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, AND parents' full names and birthplaces. The short-form only shows the child's basic information. For Canadian citizenship by descent, you always need the long-form because IRCC requires proof of parentage.

Can I order an Ontario birth certificate from the United States?

Yes. ServiceOntario's online portal accepts international orders and ships to US addresses. You can also order by mail by sending a completed application form to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

How long does it take to get an Ontario birth certificate?

Standard processing takes approximately 15 business days from when ServiceOntario receives your request, plus mailing time. Rush processing is available in about 5 business days for an additional fee. International shipping adds extra time.

What if the person was born in Ontario before 1869?

Ontario's civil registration began in 1869. For births before that date, you'll need to look for church baptismal records through the Archives of Ontario or FamilySearch. Many early Ontario records from various denominations have been digitized.

Ontario

How to Order an Ontario Birth Certificate (2026 Guide)

Ontario is Canada's most populous province, and many Americans trace their Canadian ancestry through relatives who were born or lived in Ontario. ServiceOntario handles all vital record requests, and their online portal makes it possible to order from anywhere in the world.

Cost

$25–$75

Canadian dollars

Processing Time

15 business days (regular), 5 days (rush)

Plus delivery time

How to Order

Online or in-person (Toronto)

ServiceOntario

Step-by-Step Ordering Instructions

Go to the ServiceOntario online portal at ontario.ca/page/get-or-replace-ontario-birth-certificate

Select 'Order a birth certificate online'

IMPORTANT: Choose the 'Long-form birth certificate' option — this is the version that includes parents' names, which IRCC requires

Enter the person's details: full name at birth, date of birth, place of birth within Ontario, and parents' names

Provide valid photo ID information for identity verification

Pay by credit card — fees range from $25 to $75 depending on certificate type and delivery speed

Choose standard or rush delivery

Long-Form vs Short-Form: Which Do You Need?

Important for Citizenship Applications

Ontario offers two types: the short-form (wallet-sized, no parents' names) and the long-form (full-sized, includes parents' names and registration details). You MUST order the long-form for Canadian citizenship applications. The short-form does not contain enough information for IRCC to verify your ancestry chain.

Tips for Ordering from the United States

International Ordering

ServiceOntario ships internationally. When ordering online, you can enter a US mailing address. Fees are in Canadian dollars. If the birth occurred before 1869 (when Ontario vital registration began), you may need to search church records through the Archives of Ontario instead.

What If You Can't Find a Record?

Alternative Sources

For historical Ontario records not available through ServiceOntario, try the Archives of Ontario (archives.gov.on.ca). They hold vital statistics indexes, church registers, and municipal records. FamilySearch also has extensive Ontario records indexed and searchable for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help With Your Citizenship Application?

MaplePass guides you through the entire process — from ordering documents to submitting your CIT 0001 application.

Order Birth Certificates From Other Provinces

Quebec British Columbia Alberta Manitoba Saskatchewan Nova Scotia New Brunswick Newfoundland & Labrador Prince Edward Island