Yes! They are wallet size, file size, long-form, and the certified copy of the birth registration.

The standard format for a birth certificate issued by a Canadian province is called a “file size” certificate. The file size certificate contains the basic information of a birth certificate and is about the size of a 5 x 7 photo.

Long-form certificates contain the parental information in addition to the basic birth information. They can range from “file size” to a larger certificate about half the size of a 8 x 11 sheet of paper.

A certified copy of the birth registration can also be issued by your province of birth. This type of certificate contains all the details used to register the birth, such as the citizenship of the parents and their address at the time. This format of birth certificate is the largest and is printed on a 8 x 14 size paper.

In the past, there have been other formats of certificates issued, such as wallet size certificates. Wallet size certificates cannot be processed as they are too small to apply the required stamps of the authentication and legalization process.

In Canada, only original file size, long-form, and certified copy of the birth registration formats can go through the authentication and legalization process.  If you do not have a long-form birth certificate, you can order one from the province. If you have questions about this process, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly staff.