Who Can Order a Death Certificate in Alberta, and What Does It Cost?

When someone dies, you will often need proof of death before you can deal with banks, benefits and the estate. In Alberta, that proof is usually a death certificate, but only certain people can order one.

This article explains the registration step that comes first, who is eligible to apply, how to apply, what it costs, and how a death certificate differs from the other death documents you can request.

This article covers the law of Alberta.

The death must be registered first

A death certificate cannot be issued until the death is registered. The Registration of Death form is usually completed at the funeral home when arrangements are made, and the funeral home registers the death and sends the original documents to Vital Statistics.

Registering a death in Alberta is free within one year of the date of death. After one year, a delayed registration process applies, which needs evidence and additional fees.

Who can apply

Alberta limits who can apply for death documents. The eligible people are listed below.

• An executor, personal representative or administrator named in the will, with a copy of the will.
• Next of kin, with proof of relationship: a parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, child, step-child, or spouse or partner.
• A funeral home representative making arrangements.
• A lawyer acting for an eligible person.
• A joint tenant on the property title.
• A guardian or trustee.
• A person with an Alberta court order issued within the past year.

Exceptions and special cases

A former spouse or former adult interdependent partner can apply with proof of relationship, but ex-partners and grandchildren are not included in the next-of-kin category.

A more distant relative can apply only if there are no living next of kin, and must provide proof of relationship. The Public Trustee, or an organization with a particular interest (with a letter explaining that interest), may also apply.

How to apply, what it costs and how long it takes

Complete the Application for Death Documents (form DVS11164D) and take it, with acceptable ID and eligibility documents, to a registry agent. Applications sent directly to Vital Statistics will not be processed.

Mailing or delivery time is not included in the 3 business days, and missing or inconsistent information can cause delays.

Which document do you need?

There are three different documents, and they serve different purposes.

• Death certificate: a certified extract from the Registration of Death, showing name, age, sex, marital status, residence, date and place of death, registration number and date, and issue date.
• Photocopy of the Registration of Death: includes disposition (burial or cremation) information and is mainly used for genealogy.
• Photocopy of the Medical Certificate of Death: shows the medical cause of death and the attending physician or medical examiner.

For most estate tasks, such as dealing with institutions, the death certificate is the document people usually ask about. If an organization asks for something different, check what it will accept before you order.

What to do next

• Confirm with the funeral home that the death has been registered.
• Check that you fit one of the eligible categories and gather proof, such as a copy of the will or proof of relationship.
• Fill out form DVS11164D and bring acceptable ID to a registry agent.
• Ask the registry agent about its service fee before you pay.
• Decide how many copies you need, remembering the fee applies to each document.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible, or the death was registered more than a year ago, a lawyer can help you confirm the right steps.

Frequently asked questions