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Ministry of Health

Adoption Registration in British Columbia

The Vital Statistics Agency only registers adoptions that have taken place in British Columbia. The Agency will register an adoption on receipt of an adoption order granted under the British Columbia Adoption Act and in accordance with section 12 and 13 of the Vital Statistics Act. An adoption order can be divided into three separate categories; individuals born in British Columbia, individuals born in another Province of Canada or individuals born in another country.

  1. Individuals born in British Columbia and in receipt of an adoption order granted under the British Columbia Adoption Act will have the adoption registered in accordance with the Vital Statistics Act. The original birth registration is amended to reflect the adoption information so that a new birth certificate may be issued.
  2. Individuals born in another Province but in receipt of an adoption order granted under the British Columbia Adoption Act will have their adoption registered under the Vital Statistics Act. Additionally, a certified copy of the adoption registration will be forwarded to the Province or Territory in which the person was born so that the birth record may be amended. Only the individual's Province of birth can release an amended birth certificate.
  3. Individuals born in another country but in receipt of an adoption order granted under the British Columbia Adoption Act will have their adoption registered under the Vital Statistics Act.