How Do I Get a Death Certificate in Alberta and How Many Copies Do I Need?
This answer covers the law of Alberta.
You order an Alberta death certificate by completing the Application for Death Documents (form DVS11164D) and taking it, with acceptable ID and eligibility documents, to a registry agent. Applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed. The death must be registered first, and the funeral home usually handles that when arrangements are made.
The government fee is $20 per document, and registry agents, Registry Connect and AMA charge additional service fees that vary. Vital Statistics processes a complete and correct application within 3 business days of receipt if the death is registered, not counting mailing or delivery time. Who can apply includes a named executor with a copy of the will, next of kin with proof of relationship, a funeral home representative, and a lawyer for an eligible person. A former spouse can apply with proof of relationship, although former spouses and grandchildren are not in the next-of-kin category.
How many copies you need depends on how many banks, insurers and agencies each ask for an original certificate, so ask each one before you order. Since every document carries a $20 fee, counting first avoids paying for extras.
Key takeaways
- Take the Application for Death Documents (form DVS11164D), acceptable ID and eligibility documents to a registry agent, because applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed.
- The death must be registered before a certificate can be issued, and the funeral home usually takes care of that.
- The government fee is $20 per document, plus service fees that vary by registry agent, Registry Connect or AMA.
- Count how many banks, insurers and agencies each need an original before you decide how many copies to order.