- A death certificate, a certified copy of the registration and a wills notice search are three different things in British Columbia.
- Who can apply for a genealogy certified copy of a death registration depends on whether more than 20 years have passed since the death.
- Once the testator has died, anyone who provides the documentation and payment can apply for a wills notice search.
You may need proof of a death to deal with a bank, an insurer or a court, or you may be tracing a will or a family history. The records are held by the Vital Statistics Agency, and each type has its own rules.
This article explains the differences between them, who can apply, the fees and timing the Province publishes, and how to apply.
This article covers the law of British Columbia.
Certificate, registration and wills search: what is the difference
A death certificate is proof of death that can be ordered from the funeral home or the Vital Statistics Agency, and some services require a certified copy. The registration is the underlying record filed by the funeral home or Service BC. A wills notice search is something else again: the result shows the date the will was signed, where it was located at that time, and the date Vital Statistics received the notice, but not the will itself.
| Item | What it is | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate | Proof of death | $27 by mail or $60 by courier |
| Certified registration copy or extract | Copy of the underlying record | $50 by mail or $60 by courier |
| Wills notice search | Shows whether a notice was filed, not the will | $20 per search |
Fees are set by regulation and can change, so confirm the current amount before you pay.
Who is eligible to apply
For genealogy certified copies of a death registration, if more than 20 years have passed since death, anyone can apply.
If fewer than 20 years have passed, only certain people can apply:
- 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
- Someone who satisfies the registrar general of good faith
Who may order an ordinary death certificate is not something this article can confirm, so check with the Vital Statistics Agency or the funeral home before you order.
Searching for a will
If the testator has died, anyone who provides the documentation and payment can apply for a search of wills notice, using the Application for Search of Wills Notice (VSA 532) with a photocopy of the death certificate. You can submit it by mail or in person at a Service BC counter, though not in Vancouver, Burnaby or Surrey. While the testator is alive, only the testator or a lawyer can request a search.
The fee is $20 per search plus $5 per additional name the testator may have used (mail), and courier adds $33. A wills search result must be included with a probate application, even if you believe you have the original last will.
How to apply and how long it takes
Death certificates can be ordered online by credit card (eCOS), in person at a Service BC counter with form VSA 430D, or by mail to Vital Statistics Agency, PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9P3. A funeral home can also supply copies.
Certificates take 2 to 5 business days to print plus mailing, and certified photocopies or extracts take up to 20 business days. Genealogy copies use form VSA 013 by mail or at a Service BC counter, cost $50 by regular mail with no courier, and are printed within 20 business days plus mailing.
What to do next
- Decide which record you need: certificate, registration copy or wills search
- Ask the institution asking for it whether a certified copy is required
- Confirm whether you qualify to apply, especially if the death was recent
- Confirm current fees before paying
- Allow for printing and mailing time before any deadline
- Speak with a lawyer if you are unsure how the records fit into an estate matter
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone get a genealogy certified copy of a death registration?
If more than 20 years have passed since death, anyone can apply for a genealogy certified copy of a death registration. If fewer than 20 years have passed, only the listed relatives, officials and others can apply.
Is a wills search the same as getting the will?
No. The result shows the date the will was signed, where it was located at that time, and the date Vital Statistics received the notice, not the will itself.
Where do I send a mailed certificate order?
Mail it to Vital Statistics Agency, PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9P3.
Do I need a death certificate for a wills search?
Yes, once the testator has died you include a photocopy of the death certificate with the VSA 532 application.
Sources
- gov.bc.ca Order certificates and copies — www2.gov.bc.ca
- gov.bc.ca After a Death: First steps — 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.