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How to Locate Your Ancestors

Provincial contacts that may assist you in your search

The Provincial Archives Family History Division is available at the following address to assist you in locating your ancestors.

Vital Statistics is available to assist you in obtaining a birth, marriage or death certificate for any resident of the province from 1892 to present. If you are looking for an ancestor that lived before 1892 please contact the Provincial Archives.

You may apply in person at any of the following Government Service Centres:

• 5 Mews Place, St. John's, NL
• 7-9 Roddick Crescent, Harbour Grace, NL
• 2 Masonic Terrace, Clarenville, NL
• Buffett Building, Main Street, Grand Bank, NL
• Fraser Mall, 230 Airport Blvd., Gander, NL
• 9 Queensway, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
• The Noton Building, 133 Riverside Drive, Corner Brook, NL
• 35 Alabama Drive, Stephenville, NL
• Viking Mall, St. Anthony, NL
• Thomas Building, 13 Churchill Street, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL
• 118 Humphrey Road, Bruno Plaza, Labrador City, NL

If you apply for the birth certificate in St. John's, there is approximately a 20 minute waiting period. If you apply in Gander, Corner Brook, Clarenville or Grand Falls, you are still able to get them in the same day. If you apply at any of the remaining offices, there is approximately a three day waiting period.

You may also apply for a birth certificate by sending a signed letter or application.

Send letter or form to Vital Statistics at the following mailing address:

Be sure to include the following:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth
• Sex
• Name of Father and Name of Mother (including her birth or maiden surname)
• Your complete mailing address and telephone number and state your relationship to the person named on the certificate if, for any reason, you are not that person.
• Reason certificate is required
• State whether the subject of the birth certificate is deceased. If yes, provide proof of death
• Photocopies of ID as outlined above.

Birth Certificates are available in short form and long form, framing size. Short form certificates do not contain parent's names. Please be sure to specify the number and type of certificate you require.

Birth certificates cost $20.00. Cheques or money orders may be made payable to the Newfoundland Exchequer Account. If you are paying by credit card, we accept only Visa and MasterCard. We require the card number, expiry date and signature of the cardholder.

However, if the birth occurred after March 27, 1991, and was registered within one year from the date of birth, the first certificate is free.