Canadian Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates

A Government issued Nova Scotia Death Certificate is required as legal proof of death, to settle the estate of the deceased, and to claim pension and insurance benefits.

Apply Online

Nova Scotia Death Certificate

Step 1

Certificate &
Service Options

Step 2

Applicant
Information

Step 3

Death
Details

Step 4

Authorization

Step 5

Payment
Processing

Who can apply

You can apply for a Nova Scotia Short Form Death Certificate if you are:

  • Any person who has a valid reason for requiring the document.

You can apply for a Nova Scotia Long Form Death Certificate if you are:

  • Next-of-kin of the deceased, trustee or executor of an estate.

You can apply for a Nova Scotia Certified Copy if you are:

  • Next-of-kin or an executor of an estate in selected circumstances and with authorization of the Minister or a court order.
Documents Available to Order

Before applying, find out the type and format of the document required by contacting the organization to which you must submit it.

Documents:

Short Form Death Certificate:

The Short Form Death Certificate contains the following information: given and surname, sex, date of death, age, place of death, registration number, registration date and date issued.

Long Form Death Certificate:

The Long Form Death Certificate contains all the above information and the following, if recorded on death record; date of birth, place of birth, residence, occupation, marital status, name of spouse, names of parents, attending physician, funeral director, disposition, place of disposition, name of informant, address and relationship.

Certified Copy:

The Certified Photographic Copy of the original Death Registration contains all of the information on a Long Form Death Certificate as well as medical cause of death.

Service Options

Regular Service (15-20 business days for Certificates)

Short Form Death Certificate: $65.29
Long Form Death Certificate: $71.62
Certified Copy: $71.62

Rush Service (8-12 business days)

Short Form Death Certificate: $85.29
Long Form Death Certificate: $91.62
Certified Copy: $91.62

Please Note: Fees listed above are inclusive of taxes and shipping costs. Delivery times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed. Applications may be delayed or rejected if inadequate information is provided or if there is a discrepancy between information provided and the government records. If no record of the birth is found by Nova Scotia Vital Statistics, fees will be applied to the search cost and will not be refunded.

Status of your Application

If you have not received your Death Certificate within the expected timeframe, you may contact the Northwest Territories Vital Statistics Agency to check the status of your application.

Toll Free: 1-877-848-2578 (Nova Scotia only)
Telephone: 902-424-4381

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