The British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency is responsible for the registration of births, marriages, and deaths in British Columbia. These registrations, submitted to Vital Statistics Registrars and registered by the Chief Executive Officer, began in 1872 after British Columbia became a province of Canada, but do include some events which took place prior to 1872 and registered later.
Birth, marriage, and death registrations contain valuable information for research in genealogy, social history, sociology, and demography. However, the information recorded on registration documents has varied over the years. Historical marriage registrations may show the age and birth place of the bride and groom, information about their parents, the occupation of the bride and groom, and the signatures of the couple and the witnesses. Historical death registrations may contain the decedent's occupation and medical information relating to the cause of death.
The BC Archives has copies of the historical registrations on microfilm. They have been fully indexed and can be searched by name or other criteria through the online genealogy indexes.
Note: On 4 June 2004, an amendment to the
Vital Statistics Act (RSBC 1996) was brought into force, extending future release dates for copies of birth records from 100 years to 120 years after the birth occurred. The amendment to the Act enhances existing security around the release of birth information and ensures that the personal information and privacy of centenarians is protected. Currently, only birth registrations up to 1903 are available.
It is important to note
these are not certificates but registrations of a birth, marriage or death. Event certificates are only available through the
BC Vital Statistics Agency.
The online indexes were developed in cooperation with the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency and the assistance of several genealogical societies. In addition to birth, marriage and death registrations, there are also the following records:
World War Two Overseas Casualties: The 2001 release of death registrations included four new reels containing World War Two overseas casualties covering the years 1940 to 1945. The 3,423 names appear in the updated deaths index.
Colonial Marriages (1859 to 1872): The Colonial Marriage Index contains summarized information from certified copies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia pre-confederation marriage records submitted to the Colonial Secretary by clergy, 1859 to 1872.
Baptisms (120 years old and older): The Baptisms Index contains information from microfilms of baptismal registries submitted to the Vital Statistics Agency covering the years 1836 to 1885; however, only information older than 120 years can be released. There is no access to the microfilm rolls through the BC Archives. Those interested in viewing original entries are referred to the appropriate Church as identified on the record.