B.C.’s Vital Statistics Agency offers an online service that lets eligible parents register their baby’s birth and apply for several important documents and services together. Campbell River families use the same provincial service.
What you can apply for
- Register your child’s birth in British Columbia.
- Order your baby’s first birth certificate.
- Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Enrol your newborn in the Medical Services Plan (MSP).
- Apply for Canada Child Benefits.
The health-coverage option is newborn MSP enrolment, rather than a separate application just for a Personal Health Number (PHN). Each optional application has its own eligibility requirements.
Before you start
Have your baby’s chosen name, date and place of birth, and the parents’ birth details and Personal Health Numbers ready. If both parents are being recorded on the birth registration, both must be present while completing it.
Some families cannot use the online registration process, including registrations for children over one year old, surrogacy arrangements or more than two parents. Contact Vital Statistics if the online service does not fit your situation.
Eligibility and costs
The combined MSP option requires the mother to have active MSP coverage when the baby is born and the child to be a B.C. resident. The combined Canada Child Benefits option is for an eligible mother who is primarily responsible for the child’s care. The SIN option also has citizenship or permanent-resident requirements. Read the government’s conditions for each application before proceeding.
Birth registration is free, but ordering a birth certificate has a fee. Check the current certificate charges through the official service.
Start with the official B.C. birth registration information, then follow its secure online registration link. Vital Statistics can answer questions at 1-888-876-1633 within B.C.