Researching Ontario Birth, Marriage and Death Registrations: A Guide

Introduction

This guide will assist you in identifying the reels of microfilm containing the birth, marriage and/or death registrations that you require. Click on the highlighted text, the navigation bar at the bottom of each page, or use the 'back' and 'forward' buttons of your brower to navigate this guide.

Please Note: The Archives of Ontario does not conduct Vital Statistics searches or issue birth, marriage, or death certificates. Once you have determined the microfilm that you need, you can then consult these records at our reading room in Toronto or borrow the microfilm through a public library or Family History Centre of the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Finding a birth, marriage or death registration involves the following steps:

1. Use this web site to find the Index microfilm containing the surname and year of the event that you are looking for. Request that Index reel through your local library.
2. Using the Index microfilm, look up the event and record the registration year and registration number.
3. Returning to this web site, find the Registration microfilm containing the registration year and registration number. Request that Registration reel through your local library.

If you have never used our vital statistics records, you may wish to read the Frequently Asked Questions About Birth, Marriage and Death Registrations. If you are an experienced user of vital statistics, you may wish to go directly to our microfilm listings for the various types of vital statistics records. Otherwise:

What set of Ontario Vital Statistics are you looking for?

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