- A death certificate is the proof of death that institutions ask for, while the registration is the underlying record filed by the funeral home or Service BC.
- You can order online by credit card, in person at a Service BC counter with form VSA 430D, or by mail to the Vital Statistics Agency, and a funeral home can also supply copies.
- Fees are set by regulation and can change, so confirm the current amount before you pay.
After a death, almost every bank, insurer and government office will ask for proof that it happened. In British Columbia, that proof is usually a death certificate. If you are an executor or a family member handling the paperwork, it helps to know what to order, where, and roughly what it will cost.
This article explains the difference between a death certificate and the death registration, the ways to order, the fees and timelines, and how a copy is used for a wills notice search. Each institution sets its own document requirements, so treat this as a general guide and check with each one.
This article covers the law of British Columbia.
Death registration versus death certificate
These two terms are easy to mix up. The registration is the underlying record of the death, filed by the funeral home or by Service BC. A death certificate is the proof of death that can be ordered from the funeral home or the Vital Statistics Agency.
A funeral home typically registers the death. If there is no funeral home, the death can be registered at a Service BC location or with the Vital Statistics Agency once you have the Medical Certificate of Death from a coroner or physician.
Some services require a certified copy rather than a simple proof of death. Ask each institution which version it will accept before you order, so you do not pay twice.
Three ways to order, plus the funeral home
- Online by credit card through eCOS.
- In person at a Service BC counter, using form VSA 430D.
- By mail to the Vital Statistics Agency, PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9P3.
- Through the funeral home, which can also supply copies.
Official pages do not spell out who may order a standard death certificate, so if you are not sure whether you can, confirm with the Vital Statistics Agency or a lawyer before you apply.
Fees and processing times
| Item | Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate | $27 by mail or $60 by courier | 2 to 5 business days to print, plus mailing |
| Certified registration copy or extract | $50 by mail or $60 by courier | Up to 20 business days |
Vital Statistics fees are set by regulation and can change, so confirm the current amount before you pay. If time matters, think about whether you need the courier option, and remember the processing time is separate from the mailing time.
Genealogy certified copies of older records
If more than 20 years have passed since the death, anyone can apply for a genealogy certified copy of the death registration. The fee is $50 by regular mail, with no courier option, and it is printed within 20 business days plus mailing. You apply using form VSA 013, by mail or at a Service BC counter.
If fewer than 20 years have passed, the list of who can apply is narrower. It includes a relative with proof of relationship (mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, spouse, grandparent or grandchild), a medical practitioner, a person authorized by court order, a federal or provincial government officer, or someone who satisfies the registrar general of good faith.
Using a copy for a wills notice search
If the testator has died, anyone who provides the documentation and payment can apply for a search of wills notice. You use the Application for Search of Wills Notice (VSA 532) with a photocopy of the death certificate, and submit it by mail or in person at a Service BC counter (not Vancouver, Burnaby or Surrey).
The search costs $20, plus $5 per additional name the testator may have used (mail), and courier adds $33. The result shows the date the will was signed, where it was located at that time, and the date Vital Statistics received the notice. It does not give you the will itself.
A wills search result must be included with a probate application, even if you believe you have the original last will.
What to do next
- Ask the funeral home whether it will supply copies, and how many.
- Ask each bank, insurer and government office whether it needs an original certificate, a certified copy or just a photocopy.
- Count how many you need, then order in one go to avoid repeat fees.
- Confirm current fees with the Vital Statistics Agency before paying.
- Keep a photocopy for the wills notice search and the probate application.
- If you are unsure who can order, or the estate is complicated, speak with a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a death certificate and a death registration?
The registration is the underlying record filed by the funeral home or Service BC. The death certificate is the proof of death ordered from the funeral home or the Vital Statistics Agency, and some services require a certified copy.
How much does a death certificate cost in BC?
A death certificate costs $27 by mail or $60 by courier, and a certified registration copy or extract costs $50 by mail or $60 by courier. These fees are set by regulation and can change, so confirm before paying.
How long does it take to get one?
A certificate takes 2 to 5 business days to print plus mailing, while certified photocopies or extracts take up to 20 business days. Allow extra time if you need several documents for the same estate.
Do I need a death certificate to search for a will?
Yes, for a wills notice search after death you apply on form VSA 532 with a photocopy of the death certificate. The search result must also be included with a probate application.
Sources
- gov.bc.ca After a Death: First steps — www2.gov.bc.ca
- gov.bc.ca Order certificates and copies — www2.gov.bc.ca
- gov.bc.ca Genealogy certified copies of a death registration — www2.gov.bc.ca
- gov.bc.ca Wills registry — www2.gov.bc.ca
- gov.bc.ca After a Death: Deal with wills and estates — www2.gov.bc.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
This is a wills & estates question
A single will with us is from $894.88, tax included. Third-party fees are extra.