How do I get a death certificate in BC?
Who issues death certificates in BC, what they cost, how to order more, and what a certified copy is.
Updated September 29, 2026
A death certificate is the official proof of death you will need to settle the person's affairs. In BC, death certificates come from the Vital Statistics Agency and are based on the death registration.
Your first certificate
When a funeral provider registers the death, it can issue a death certificate at the same time. Each of our cremation packages includes one.
What it shows
A BC death certificate shows the person's full name, sex, date and place of death, age, place of birth, province or country of residence, and the registration number and date. It does not show the cause of death.
Who can order one
Anyone can apply for a BC death certificate. You do not need to be the executor or a relative.
How to order more
- From us, when you make the arrangements or at any time after.
- Online, through the Vital Statistics Agency's secure online ordering service. You need a credit card.
- By mail, using the Application for Death Certificate (VSA 430d) form.
- In person, at select Service BC locations. Not every location offers this service.
What it costs
As of September 2026, the Vital Statistics Agency charges $27 per certificate by mail. It prints within 2 to 5 business days, plus mailing time from Victoria. By courier, it is $60 per certificate, printed the next business day, plus delivery time. See Death Certificates on gov.bc.ca.
How many you may need
You may need to show proof of death to cancel a health card or driver's licence, or to settle insurance or investments. How many certificates you need depends on how many accounts and services you have to deal with.
In many cases you can use a photocopy. The province lists an uncertified copy as enough for the Canada Revenue Agency, for cancelling a driver's licence with ICBC, and for BC public sector pensions. Some services require an original or a certified copy, so ask each organization what it needs before you send anything.
Certified copies
"Certified copy" can mean two different things:
- A certified copy of the death certificate. This is a photocopy that has been certified as a true copy of the original. A notary can make these for a fee, and we also provide them; see our pricing page.
- A certified copy of the death registration. This is a separate Vital Statistics document with all the information recorded at registration. It is rarely needed, generally only for court purposes. If the death was less than 20 years ago, only certain people can order it, such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild with proof of relationship. As of September 2026 it costs $50 by mail (printed within 20 business days) or $60 by courier. See certified copies of a death registration.
If something is wrong
Check each certificate when it arrives. To correct an error in a death registration, apply to Vital Statistics with supporting documents; as of September 2026 the fee for a change is $27. All certificates issued before the change must be returned before new ones can be issued. See changes to a death registration.
If you need more certificates or have a question about them, call us at (604) 856-2346 or contact us online.