Documents for your baby

When your baby is born in the Northwest Territories, you will receive or complete a few key documents that set up your child’s identity, health coverage and benefits. This page explains what each document is for and what you need to do. 

Hospital staff will give you the Birth Registration Statement when your baby is born. If the birth happened outside a hospital, you can request the form from Vital Statistics.

You will need this form to register your baby’s birth. 

Use the Register a birth page for detailed instructions.

If you are an NWT resident, your baby will need their own health care card. Use the Get a health care card for your newborn page to apply.

Once the birth registration is complete, you can apply for your baby’s birth certificate. This is your baby’s first legal identity document and may be needed for:

• Passport applications
• Health benefits
• Child benefits
• School enrolment

Birth certificate fees apply. Use the Order a birth certificate page to apply.

If you consent on the Birth Registration Statement, the Registrar General will share the required information with the Canada Revenue Agency so you can access the Automated Benefits Application. This allows you to apply for child benefits without filling out extra forms.

The information shared includes:

• Your name, date of birth and place of birth
• Your Social Insurance Number
• Your mailing and residential address
• Your baby’s name, date of birth, place of birth and registration information