Replace lost, stolen, or damaged documents in Nova Scotia
This page is the free Nova Scotia guide. No sign-in. Read on.
Facts checked September 2026 · See what changed · How we check
Per-document steps for Nova Scotia residents: official agencies, current links, and a free downloadable checklist.
If documents were stolen: file a police report and keep a copy before starting any replacement application.
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Nova Scotia provincial documents
Open this section ↓Birth Certificate
ProvincialApply at NS Vital Statistics: Access Nova Scotia →AgencyNS Vital Statistics: Access Nova ScotiaFee$33.00 (short form) / $39.90 (long form)TimelineAllow 2–8 weeks for standard delivery; expedited options may be availableDriver's Licence
ProvincialReplace at Registry of Motor Vehicles: Access Nova Scotia →AgencyRegistry of Motor Vehicles: Access Nova ScotiaFeeVerify current fee at the official link belowHealth Card: MSI (Medical Services Insurance)
ProvincialReplace MSI (Medical Services Insurance) →AgencyMSI: Service Nova ScotiaNoteApply for a replacement MSI card online or by phone through Service Nova Scotia.↑ Close this sectionVehicle registration: Certificate of Registration (Replacement Copy)
ProvincialSelling? Replace it first.
Nova Scotia states this more directly than any other province: "You become the owner of a vehicle when the previous owner signs over the vehicle registration certificate to you", and "this signed certificate is your proof of ownership, and you cannot get a vehicle permit without it." There is space to sign the transfer on the certificate itself. With no certificate there is nothing to sign over, so the Replacement Copy comes first.
Replace at Registry of Motor Vehicles: Access Nova Scotia →AgencyRegistry of Motor Vehicles: Access Nova ScotiaFee$13.20 (Replacement Copy, the same as a first issue)IDNova Scotia points to the Identification Requirements listed on the Registry of Motor Vehicles site rather than itemising them on the replacement page. Check there before you go.If the registered owner has died
Nova Scotia publishes the route. The executor or administrator completes the Sworn Statement for the Inheritance of a Used Motor Vehicle, then registration happens at Access Nova Scotia or the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Bring the certificate of registration signed over to you, a completed Application for Transfer form, and a copy of the will or probate document. There is no cost to submit the form. Note that even an estate transfer still runs on a signed-over certificate, the same document-based logic as an ordinary sale.
Estate transfer process →Selling the vehicle? Sell a car privately walks the rest of the transfer, and what to do when someone dies covers the wider estate paperwork.
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Federal documents (every province)
Open this section ↓SIN: Confirmation of SIN
FederalService Canada: lost/stolen SIN →AgencyService CanadaFeeFreeNoteService Canada no longer issues SIN cards. You receive a Confirmation of SIN letter instead. Apply online via My Service Canada Account or in person at any Service Canada centre with 2 original pieces of ID.↑ Close this sectionPassport (lost or stolen)
FederalPassport Canada: lost/stolen guide →AgencyPassport Canada / Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaSteps- Report the loss, call Passport Canada: 1-800-567-6868
- If it was still valid, complete the declaration on form PPTC 203 and include it with your application
- If it had already expired, renew or apply in the normal way; no special form is needed
FeeIf it was still valid: the regular fee plus a $45 replacement fee. If it had already expired: the regular fee onlyNoteReport it first, then check whether you can renew.Lost, stolen or damaged passport: report it to 1-800-567-6868, file PPTC 203, and expect the $45 surcharge on a lost or stolen replacement. The passport guide: lost, stolen or damaged →
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Build your Nova Scotia replacement checklist
Open this section ↓↑ Close this sectionBUILD YOUR FREE CHECKLIST Which documents did you lose?
Select all that apply. We'll generate a step-by-step checklist with Nova Scotia-specific agencies and links.
Select at least one document above
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Frequently asked questions
Open this section ↓↑ Close this sectionHow do I replace a lost birth certificate in Nova Scotia?
Apply to NS Vital Statistics: Access Nova Scotia. Fee: $33.00 (short form) / $39.90 (long form). Standard delivery takes 2–8 weeks; expedited options may be available.
How do I replace a lost driver's licence in Nova Scotia?
Contact Registry of Motor Vehicles: Access Nova Scotia. Verify the current fee at the official link above.
How do I replace a lost MSI (Medical Services Insurance) card?
Apply for a replacement MSI card online or by phone through Service Nova Scotia.
Can I still sell my car if I lost the Nova Scotia registration document?
Not through the standard process. Nova Scotia runs the transfer on the physical document, so replace it first: $13.20 (Replacement Copy, the same as a first issue), through Registry of Motor Vehicles: Access Nova Scotia.
How do I get a SIN replacement?
Service Canada no longer issues SIN cards. Request a free Confirmation of SIN letter online via My Service Canada Account, or in person at any Service Canada centre with 2 original pieces of ID. No fee.
What do I do if I lost my Canadian passport?
Report it to Passport Canada (1-800-567-6868), then check whether you can renew. If the lost or stolen passport was still valid, include form PPTC 203 and pay the regular fee plus a $45 replacement fee. If it had already expired, just renew or apply in the normal way.
Moving to Nova Scotia from another province? The route-specific checklist:
Facts checked September 2026
Guidepost is not a law firm. This guide is for general information only. Full disclaimer
Informational guide only. Guidepost is not a law firm. This guide explains the typical process and is not legal advice. Requirements can change. Verify current rules with the relevant government authority or a qualified professional before you act.