Ontario Vital Statistics Home page > Birth Registrations
Birth Registrations : 1869 - 1917
The Archives of Ontario holds birth registrations and the indexes (where they exist), from [ca. 1830] to 1917, predominantly 1869-1917 (note: these records include registrations for a small number of pre-1869 births).
For registrations of births after 1917, please contact ServiceOntario.
Please note:Due to changes in regulations, 1918 and newer birth registrations and indexes will be retained by the Office of the Registrar General for 105 years after the year of registration. The 1918 birth registrations and indexes are expected to be transferred to the Archives of Ontario in 2024. Further information will be provided regarding the availability of records in 2024.
Where to find the records
Online at Ancestry - The registrations for 1869-1917 are available on www.ancestry.ca. Free access to this site is available in the Archives of Ontario reading room and at all Ontario public libraries.
Online at FamilySearch - The registrations for [ca. 1830]-1912 are available on www.familysearch.org.
On microfilm - - Registrations and indexes for 1869-1917 are available on microfilm, in the Archives of Ontario reading room and through the Microfilm Interloan Service.
If you require a certified copy of a birth registration in our holdings for legal or humanitarian purposes, please contact the reference team at the Archives of Ontario by emailing reference@ontario.ca, or by calling 416-327-1600, or toll-free within Ontario at 1-800-668-9933.
For step-by-step instructions on searching these records, consult the Pathfinder to Birth Registrations
- Indexes to births, 1869-1917
- Birth registrations, 1869-1917
- Birth registrations (listed geographically), 1869-1917
- Delayed birth registrations, "50" series, 1869-1917
- Delayed birth registrations, "90" series, 1869-1917
For step-by-step instructions on searching these records, consult the Pathfinder to Birth Registrations - Word, PDF
For more information about these records
For more information about birth registrations held at the Archives, consult research Guide 202, Vital Statistics Records - Word, PDF
Click here to view examples of birth registrations.