What's new about this design?

• The new certificate is 125 mm wide by 176 mm high.
• It is designed to discourage people from carrying it in their wallet or purse (thousands of certificates are reported lost or stolen every month).
• The stock for the new document is high security polymer (plastic).
• The certificate has:
• Two window features - one contains a colour shifting property (gold/purple); the other contains three 'floating' maple leaves;
• Two watermark/shadow features — maple leaves; Canada geese;
• Thread containing the word “CANADA” repeated;
• Tactile printing similar to that found on Canadian currency;
• Colour shifting printing, “CANADA” in three waves below the clear window containing the maple leaves (purple/green); and
• Contains the provincial/territorial coat of arms in colour with the jurisdiction’s seal and a signature.
• The new design also contains certain forensic features that assist authorities in determining the validity of the document.

Is the new design counterfeit-proof?

While the new design includes the most modern security features available, it would not be prudent to say any design is counterfeit-proof. We are satisfied with the level of security in this new design.

Why are you changing the design now?

The current design used by most jurisdictions is more than twenty years old. While features have been added, with new developments in technology and emerging threats related to identity theft, tampering and counterfeiting, the Council recognized the need to update the standard document design in an effort to ensure document integrity, reliability and public confidence.

Will the new birth certificate be the standard document for the next twenty years?

The Vital Statistics Council for Canada is committed to working with experts in document security to conduct periodic reviews of the birth certificate security features to ensure that they can withstand emerging security threats.

I was born in another province. Can I get one of the new secure birth certificates?

You must apply for your birth certificate from your province of birth. Six Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia will be adopting the new certificate in late 2007 and early 2008. It is anticipated that Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick will also adopt the new certificate in 2008.

If this is the new standard for Canadian birth certificates and all provinces and territories are concerned about security, why aren't all jurisdictions using the new design right away?

Security and integrity are values all member jurisdictions share. This new design requires changes in processes and equipment. Each jurisdiction will adopt the new design at the appropriate time.

What about old certificates, are they still valid?

Yes. While the old certificates will not be invalidated, in some instances, where identity security is of utmost importance, citizens may be asked to provide the new more secure document as proof of identity or citizenship. We will be education our stakeholders about the security features and benefits of the new design.

If the old certificates are less secure, why are they still valid?

The new birth certificate is one of a number of initiatives that Vital Statistics registries are undertaking to enhance birth certificate security. It is up to the agencies who accept these documents to determine what document is sufficient to meet their needs.

If I bring in my old certificate to Vital Statistics, can I get a new one free of charge?

Old certificates will not be replaced free of charge. Vital Statistics organizations will continue to charge the birth certificate fee for the new certificate. The fees are required to cover the costs of production and issuance of the new document.

What is the VSCC?

The Vital Statistics Council of Canada is an association of vital Statistics experts from across Canada with a mandate to develop, strengthen and support the Canadian system of vital statistics. Each Canadian province and territory is represented by a member of the Council as well as Statistics Canada.