A press release from the Ministry of Health notes that registration creates a permanent legal record of a birth, and every B.C.-born baby's birth must be registered with the Vital Statistics Agency. No fee is charged for registrations received within 30 days of a child's birth, notes the release.
Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government Margaret MacDiarmid is quoted in the release that the birth of a child is an exciting, but sometimes overwhelming time for families, and this system will help make this busy time a little easier.
Parents can already go online to apply for their child's birth certificate. As part of the new online birth registration system, they can also apply online for Canada Child Benefits, the baby's social insurance number and Medical Services Plan coverage.
The release notes there are about 44,000 babies born in British Columbia each year.
It is estimated registering the birth of a child will take approximately 20 minutes. It requires the presence of the parent(s) who will be recorded on the child's birth registration. Parents will also need basic information on hand including the baby's full name, the mother's personal health number and the location and date of the baby's birth.
For more information about the new registration process or to register the birth of a newborn, visit: www.vs.gov. bc.ca
