Guide
Courts & Court Records in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador (trial division) and the Provincial Court handle trials, with the Court of Appeal above them. Decisions are free on CanLII's NL collection.
Guide
Vital Records: Restricted, With a Genealogy Door
Vital Statistics (Digital Government and Service NL) issues certificates to the person named and close family. Older registrations open for genealogy through The Rooms Provincial Archives.
Guide
Land, Property & Business Records
Deeds and company records run through the Registry of Deeds and Registry of Companies at Service NL, linked below.
Guide
Records Nobody Publishes
Criminal records are not public anywhere in Canada. Checks go through police services with the subject’s consent. For unpublished government records, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA, 2015) gives anyone the right to file an access request with a provincial or municipal body, the provincial cousin of the federal ATIP process described in our Canada Public Records guide.
Guide
Newfoundland and Labrador Records: Quick Answers
Are NL court records public?
Yes, judgments free on CanLII, files by request at the court registry, subject to standard restrictions.
Who can order an NL birth certificate?
The person named and close family through Vital Statistics at Service NL.
Where are NL historical records?
The Rooms Provincial Archives in St. John's holds historical vital registrations and much of the province's documentary heritage.