Your Affidavit in Lieu of Birth Certificate Playbook
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- An Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate is required when your original birth certificate is unavailable.
- You must affirm this Affidavit before a notary public, who will notarize it to make it official.
- This Affidavit serves as proof of birth.
- It may be required for legal and administrative processes.
- You can get this document notarized online in under 7 minutes.
In Canada, a birth certificate is a vital document that can prove your identity and unlock access to social services. However, if your birth certificate was lost or stolen, you may need to produce Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate.
Here, we’ll explore how an Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate works, which details yours should contain, and when you need one
What is an Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate?
An Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate is an legal document used in place of your birth certificate if it’s been lost or stolen. This affidavit contains an affirmed statement that outlines details about your birth.
It must be notarized by an authorized official, like a notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits. You can have your Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate notarized online in 7 minutes here.
When Do you Need an Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate?
You’ll need an Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate if you don’t have access to your birth certificate for to complete processes. This Affidavit is especially helpful if you cannot get a replacement birth certificate through ServiceOntario before a certain deadline.
Various administrative and legal processes require you to provide your birth certificate, including the examples below:
- Accessing education and registering for school
- Proving inheritance
- Applying for a Canadian passport
- Facilitating citizenship processes
- Accessing Canadian health care
- Completing immigration processes
- Moving to a foreign country
- Obtaining a social insurance number
- Getting a driver’s license
- Completing Indian Status applications
Try Our Free Affidavit Template
What Information Should an Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate Contain?
An Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate should contain the following information about you (the applicant):
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Birth location, including the hospital
- The name of both of your parents (if known)
- An explanation as to why your birth certificate is unavailable
- An explanation as to why a replacement birth certificate is unavailable or cannot be obtained in time
What is a Birth Certificate?
In Canada, a birth certificate is a government-issued document used for identification purposes. It proves your identity by showing who you are, when you were born, and where you were born.
When a child is born in Canada, parents or legal guardians must register the birth with their provincial government. After registering their birth, you can request a birth certificate for your child. In Ontario, you must register your child’s birth within 30 days, but the number of days varies by province.
Types of Birth Certificates in Canada
There are three types of birth certificates in Canada, and we’ve outlined them below. If you’re not sure which one you require, it’s best to check with the requesting government agency.
- Birth Certificate
- Birth Certificate with Parental Information
- Certified Copy of Birth Registration
*If you request a birth certificate replacement, the previous one will automatically invalid for security reasons.
Draft an Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate Today
Hopefully this guide has helped you understand how an Affidavit in Lieu of a Birth Certificate and when you’d need one. If you’re ready to draft your Affidavit, you can use our free, fillable template and skip paying a lawyer or drafting it from scratch!