British Columbia, Canada Civil Registration Information

British Columbia, Canada Civil Registration Information

The British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency is responsible for the registration of births, marriages, and deaths in British Columbia. These registrations began in 1872 after British Columbia became a province of Canada, but do include some events which took place prior to 1872 but were registered later.

British Columbia Archives

The Vital Statistics Agency and BC Archives provide a searchable electronic index to British Columbia's historical birth, death and marriage records. These include:

Births Registration Index: 1872 to 1903

Marriage Registration Index: 1872 to 1931

Death Registration Index: 1872 to 1986

Colonial Marriage Index: 1859 to 1872

Baptisms Index: events over 120 years old

To view or access the actual registration records, researchers may:

Visit one of various agencies holding microfilm copies in person.

Write to the BC Archives to request a copy of a registration record. Please see the information on the specific citation package.

Some vital event registration records are now available in digital image format for on-line purchase, and delivery via email.

Mailing address and phone number:

British Columbia Archives
675 Belleville Street
Victoria BC
V8W 9W2
(250) 387-1952

British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency

The Genealogical Services page contains information on genealogy services and explains how to order a Genealogy Certified Registration copy of:

Genealogy - Birth

Genealogy - Adoption

Genealogy - Marriage

Genealogy - Death

There is also an explanation of the Fee Schedule and how to order online.

Be sure to visit Looking 4 Kin Genealogy Links and Chat.

While there stop into Looking 4 Kin Genealogy Chat.