Manitoba, Government Birth, Marriage, and Death Records (National Institute)

Civil registration of births, marriages and deaths began in 1882. Manitoba has now made access to online indexes for historic vital records. They are births more than 100 years old, marriages more than 80 years old, and deaths more than 70 years old. However, if either the person named or the immediate next of kin (spouse, children, parents, or siblings) are living, written proof of their consent to release the requested information is required. A searchable database has been created as an index at the Vital Statistics Agency website. You are given instructions for then ordering a copy of the complete record.

Entitlement to application and receipt of more modern records is stated as:


 * Births - yourself, the parents on the certificate, a legal guardian (with proof), or a representative with written authorization from one of those three.


 * Marriages - the bride or groom, their children or parents if both are deceased, or an authorized representative.


 * Deaths - any person “with a valid reason” but only next-of-kin may obtain a certified photocopy.

Manitoba too has a distinction between certificates and certified photocopies, and includes reasonable search parameters when an exact date of the event is unknown. For genealogical purposes, the document issued is a certified photocopy of the registration of the event on file at Vital Statistics. It contains information exactly as recorded on the original registration, and, although the information may differ from your application, it cannot be amended. If the record you requested is not located, a Search Receipt is issued stating there is no record of the event for the years searched.

Fees vary by service and are listed on Manitoba’s Vital Statistics Agency webpage.

Vital Statistics Agency 254 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0B6 Phone: 204-945-3701 Toll-Free: 1-866-949-9296 Email:[mailto:vitalstats@gov.mb.ca vitalstats@gov.mb.ca]

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