Documents & Records

National Registration of 1940

Basics

The National Registration of 1940 was carried out in order to mobilize human and material resources for the purpose of Canada's defence and security.

All persons 16 years of age or older were required to register. The only exceptions were members of the armed forces and religious orders, or those confined to an institution.

Questionnaires were distributed, which asked for details including name, address, date of birth, age, number of dependents, place and country of birth of the individual and his or her parents, and other information. There was a different form for males and females.

Finding the Records

The National Registration File of 1940 records are in the custody of Statistics Canada. They are arranged by electoral district, but an index is available. Searches can be undertaken for a prepaid search fee. For full details, see the 1940 National Registration page from Library and Archives Canada.

Photo banner: Detail from VPL Historical Photograph 78362