Births, deaths, marriages, identity and care

Changes of name or gender

Change your name or the name of your spouse or child

Apply to legally change your name or the name of your spouse or child.

Change your sex indicator if you’re 15 or younger

Apply to change your sex indicator if you identify with a gender that’s different from the sex shown on your Birth Registration.

Change your sex indicator if you’re 16 or older

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)

Apply for a Death Certificate

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.

Register a 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.

What to do when someone passes away: obtaining benefits and closing accounts

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

Apply for a Birth Certificate

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

Open adoption records provide greater access to information for an adopted person, birth parent, birth sibling and other relatives.

Register a birth

All births that take place in Nova Scotia need to be registered with Vital Statistics.

Marriage and domestic partnership

Apply for a Domestic Partnership Certificate

A Domestic Partnership Certificate is a legal record of a domestic partnership. The certificate may be used as proof of domestic partnership.

Apply for a Marriage Certificate

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.

Apply for a Marriage Licence

You need to have a Marriage Licence before you can get married in Nova Scotia.

Find a Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences

List of Deputy Issuers registered with Vital Statistics. A Deputy Issuer is authorized to issue a Marriage Licence.

Register a marriage

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

Register your domestic partnership to get many of the same rights as married couples.

Terminate (end) your domestic partnership

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.