National Registration File of 1940

The National Registration File of 1940

This resulted from the compulsory registration of all persons, 16 years of age or older, in the period from 1940 to 1946. This is another way to find an ancestor in that time period. This is a Census Substitute, not a naturalization record. However the forms did ask if the person was naturalized, and if so, what year and what place they naturlalized in. The forms also ask the year of immigration to Canada if not born in Canada. 

The National Registration File includes the following information on an individual: Name, address, age, date of birth, conjugal status, dependents, country of birth (persons registered and parents only), nationality, racial origin, languages, education, general health, class of occupation, occupation or craft, employment status, work experience by type, mechanical or other abilities, latent skills, wartime circumstances, previous military service.

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  • 1940 Form for Men. Image courtesy of Jacques Dubois, Statistics Canada, 170 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway Ottawa ON K1A 0T6
  • 1940 Form for Women. Image courtesy of Jacques Dubois, Statistics Canada, 170 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway Ottawa ON K1A 0T6

View the complete list of the questions asked for Men and the complete list of the questions for Women on the National Registration forms.

The forms for men and women were double sided and had many questions of interest to genealogists. Copies of the submitted forms can be ordered from Statistics Canada. To provide third-party information from the National Registration File of 1940 for genealogical purposes, a standard fee of $47.25 ($45 search fee and $2.25 GST) is charged for each search undertaken that is successful in locating the requested record. A cheque or money order made payable to Statistics Canada is required. An online order form is provided on Statistics Canada website. 

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