Births, deaths, marriages, identity and care
Changes of name or gender
Apply to legally change your name or the name of your spouse or child.
Apply to change your sex indicator if you identify with a gender that’s different from the sex shown on your Birth Registration.
Apply to change your sex indicator if you identify with a gender that’s different from the sex shown on your Birth Registration.
Death (what to do when someone dies)
A Death Certificate is a legal record of a death that took place in Nova Scotia. The certificate may be used as proof of death.
Funeral directors need to submit required documents to Vital Statistics for all deaths that take place in Nova Scotia. Vital Statistics registers the death.
Guidelines on what to do and who to contact about eligibility for benefits and closing a deceased person’s government accounts, programs, services and benefits.
Having a child and adoption
A Birth Certificate is a legal record of a birth that took place in Nova Scotia. The certificate may be used as proof of identity.
Open adoption records provide greater access to information for an adopted person, birth parent, birth sibling and other relatives.
All births that take place in Nova Scotia need to be registered with Vital Statistics.
Marriage and domestic partnership
A Domestic Partnership Certificate is a legal record of a domestic partnership. The certificate may be used as proof of domestic partnership.
A Marriage Certificate is a legal record of a marriage that took place in Nova Scotia. The certificate may be used as proof of marriage.
You need to have a Marriage Licence before you can get married in Nova Scotia.
List of Deputy Issuers registered with Vital Statistics. A Deputy Issuer is authorized to issue a Marriage Licence.
Religious officiants, justices of the peace and judges need to submit required documents to Vital Statistics for all marriages that take place in Nova Scotia. Vital Statistics registers the marriage.
Register your domestic partnership to get many of the same rights as married couples.
Apply to terminate (end) your domestic partnership.
More information
We’re working on adding more information. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, visit the old website.
