Free guide: Nova Scotia
Replace lost, stolen, or damaged documents in Nova Scotia
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.
Nova Scotia provincial documents
Birth Certificate
ProvincialDriver's Licence
ProvincialHealth Card: MSI (Medical Services Insurance)
ProvincialVehicle 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.
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.
Federal documents (every province)
SIN: Confirmation of SIN
FederalPassport (lost or stolen)
Federal- Report the loss, call Passport Canada: 1-800-567-6868
- Complete form PPTC 203 (application to replace)
- Apply in person at a Passport Canada office or eligible Service Canada centre
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Frequently asked questions
How 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?
You cannot reorder a lost or stolen passport. Report it to Passport Canada (1-800-567-6868), complete form PPTC 203, and apply in person. A $45 surcharge applies if the passport expired within the past 3 years.
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Last updated: July 2026
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