Guide
Ontario death certificate: when you can get it, how, and what it costs
In short
In Ontario, a death certificate can only be issued once the death is registered, and ServiceOntario says registrations are currently taking up to 16 weeks. Anyone can apply, online, in person in Toronto or Ottawa, or by mail: $15 (15 business days), or $45 with premium service (5 business days). A certified copy of the death registration, $22 or $52, is for next of kin only. In the meantime, the funeral director's proof of death is accepted for some steps, including federal services.
Written by Sofiane B. · Founder, Celebrance
- Death registration
- Currently up to 16 weeks
- Death certificate
- $15, or $45 with premium service
- Certified copy of the registration
- $22, or $52 with premium service, next of kin only
- In the meantime
- The funeral director's proof of death
On this page
First, the death is registered
A death certificate can only be issued once the death is registered. The funeral director sends the medical certificate of death and the statement of death, which the family helps complete, to the municipal clerk, who forwards them to the province's Office of the Registrar General. ServiceOntario says death registrations are currently taking up to 16 weeks.
You can apply for the certificate at any time: it is issued once the registration is done.
In the meantime: the proof of death
The funeral director gives the family a proof of death. Some organizations accept it, but many ask for the official death certificate. For federal services, such as stopping CPP and OAS payments, Service Canada accepts a statement of death from the funeral director, or a copy of the death certificate.
Certificate or certified copy?
ServiceOntario issues two documents:
Document | Regular service | Premium service | Who can order it |
|---|---|---|---|
Death certificate | $15, 15 business days | $45, 5 business days | Anyone |
Certified copy of the death registration | $22, 15 business days | $52, 5 business days | Next of kin, or their authorized representative |
The certified copy is needed for some purposes, such as settling an estate or a pension outside Canada. It exists with or without the cause of death: with the cause, you apply by mail or in person. When in doubt, ask the organization that wants the document which one it needs. An emergency service exists in person in Toronto, with proof of urgency.
How to apply
- Online, through ServiceOntario's online certificate application.
- In person, at ServiceOntario in Toronto (47 Sheppard Avenue East) or Ottawa (110 Laurier Avenue West).
- By mail, to ServiceOntario in Thunder Bay: allow 6 to 8 weeks.
Have ready the person's name, their dates of birth and death, their sex, the place of death, and details about their parents or spouse.
A mistake on the registration?
Send a registration amendment application to ServiceOntario. Once the registration is amended, every certificate or certified copy ordered afterwards shows the correction.
How many to order?
Make a list of who will ask for one: the bank, insurers, the pension plans, the estate's lawyer, the land registry, foreign authorities. Then ask each whether it needs the certificate or the certified copy, and whether a copy will do.
The ceremony doesn't have to wait
The certificate is paperwork for the estate: it doesn't stop you from holding a memorial or a celebration of life. For the first steps, see how to plan a funeral or celebration of life in Ontario, and for costs and help, paying for a funeral or celebration of life in Ontario. If you would like a celebrant to write and lead the ceremony, Celebrance can connect you with one from our local network in Ontario, at a price shown upfront: see our celebrants for funerals and celebrations of life.
Sources: ontario.ca: get or replace an ontario death certificate · ontario.ca: what do when someone dies · canada.ca: notify
Frequently asked questions
Who can order an Ontario death certificate?
Anyone: ServiceOntario sets no restriction on who can apply for a death certificate. A certified copy of the death registration is only for next of kin, such as parents, spouses, children and siblings, or their authorized representative.
How long does it take?
The death must be registered first, and ServiceOntario says registrations are currently taking up to 16 weeks. You can apply at any time; the certificate is issued once the death is registered, then in 15 business days, or 5 with premium service.
What can we use before the certificate arrives?
The funeral director gives a proof of death, which some organizations accept. For federal services such as CPP, Service Canada accepts a statement of death from the funeral director or a copy of the death certificate. Banks and other organizations may still ask for the provincial certificate.
Certificate or certified copy: which one do we need?
Ask the organization that wants it. A certified copy of the death registration is needed for some purposes, such as settling an estate or a pension outside Canada. It is available with or without the cause of death; with the cause, you apply by mail or in person.
What if there is a mistake on the death registration?
Send a registration amendment application to ServiceOntario. Once the registration is amended, every certificate or certified copy ordered afterwards shows the correction.