Frequently Asked Questions

Driver's License

• Can I renew my driver's licence or vehicle registration without the paperwork sent out to me by Alberta Registries?
  Yes! Please ensure you have your proof of insurance with you to renew your license plates, and acceptable identification to renew your operator’s license or identification card.
• Do I have to pay an outstanding fine before I can renew my licence?
  Yes, all fines on the system must be paid.
• If I fail the knowledge test, may I rewrite it the same day?
  No, you must wait until the following day to re-write the test.
• Why do I need one of my parents to come with my to obtain by ID Card or Learner's licence if I am under 18?
  Generally, persons under 18 do not have sufficient identification for a first time enrolment and have not established accounts to assist in proving residency. Unless the minor person can prove they are self-supporting, a parent or legal guardian must consent to the process authorizing the license or registration. In fact, a parent/guardian may also withdraw their authorization and have a minors licence or registration cancelled.
• Do I have to wait a certain period of time after getting my Learner's Licence to do my Road Test?
  If you are a brand new driver with NO previous driving history you are required to wait 1 full year before you can challenge the driver’s knowledge test and road test. Clients new to Alberta can apply for a shorter term if they can produce proof of having a prior license in another jurisdiction. GDL (Graduated Driver Licensing) rules also apply ~ Please visit www.saferoads.ca for additional information on the GDL program.
• Do I have to pay for my learner's licence immediately after passing the Class 7 exam, or can I wait to get it and how long do I have?
  After you pass the DKTS (Driver Knowledge Testing System) examination, you have 12 months from the date you passed to obtain your license.
• I've had laser surgery - do I need to bring you something from my doctor to have the Code A removed from my licence?
  We would prefer that you had something from your doctor, however we can perform an eye examination to confirm that you no longer require the Code A requirement.
• How much does a learners licence cost?
  Current pricing is $17.60 to write the test. Upon successful completion of the test, a 5 year term licence requires an additional fee of $64.45 ~ depending on the licence class and your age. Prices include GST.
• I am in Canada and a resident of Alberta on a Work or Study Permit. Can I get an Alberta driver’s license?
  Yes, residency, proof of identification and provision of proof of previous driving history rules apply. Clients in Canada on Work or Study Permit will have their license term calculated by the Expiry Date given by Immigration Canada, therefore the term and fees will be adjusted according to the situation. Note, not all countries have a Reciprocal Agreement with Alberta regarding acceptable driver licensing.
• I want to write my learners test. What do I need?
  If you are under 18 you must bring in your parent or legal guardian to sign the consent form. You also need 2 pieces of ID (one must have your date of birth) and proof of address. If you are under 18 and your parent or guardian has a valid driver licence or id card, you are not required to show proof of residency.
• I want to study for the Driver’s examination. Do you have the manuals, and how much do they cost?
  Currently, all manuals are free of charge. Another excellent option is to go to www.saferoads.ca to download all manuals, and even to try out a practice knowledge examination!
• Do you offer driver knowledge examinations in languages other than English?
  Yes, you can request to take the computer knowledge test in French, Punjabi, Arabic, Vietnamese, Hindi, Spanish, Chinese and Tagalog.
• Do you do driving abstracts and what does it show?
  Yes, we process a 3 year, 5 year or 10 year driving record. It will show all moving violations for the period searched and your current demerit points. You may purchase your own abstract for $22.55 providing you produce two pieces of ID and complete the necessary form. You may obtain someone else's abstract with their permission evidenced by their written, signed consent form REG3387 (2005/11). Please visit Service Alberta and navigate to the Abstract link to download this form.
• My wife and I just bought a vehicle that was sold in both our names. Can I register the vehicle without her being present at your office?
  Yes, but only if she has signed the Vehicle Registration Authorization form consenting to the registration service. See our Downloadable Forms page

Motor Vehicles

• What type of payments do you take for motor vehicle services?
  Currently, we accept cash, debit or cheque, however we cannot accept credit cards. Fines must be paid in cash or debit only.
• Why do I need a piece of ID if I have lost my ID Card, if you can see my picture on the Motor Vehicle System?
  Policy prevents us from ‘browsing’ the system to find a client without some evidence that you are who you say you are. If you’ve lost all your ID we still need something to start the process, then confirm your image and information on the systems. TIP: if your wallet has been lost or stolen, you should file a report at your local police station. The Witness Statement (with a police file number) can be utilized by us to access your file on the system and the police will be aware of the situation if your ID is returned to them.
• Why do I need my wife's written permission to cancel our joint plate - we're married after all?
  We must obtain consent from a second registrant to ensure the change is, in fact, authorized by the other party. This form is retained and microfilmed as evidence of the transaction.
• Why do I need two pieces of ID to register a new vehicle?
  Unfortunately, vehicle theft, fraud and other crime is a threat to Albertans. We need to take appropriate steps to ensure you are who you say you are to further protect Albertans from possible registration of clandestine vehicles.
• How do I check to see the history of the vehicle prior to purchasing and confirm that it is not a write-off or has liens against it?
  We offer a comprehensive vehicle history product in CarProof Reports. Simply provide us with the complete and accurate VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and we can confirm the vehicle’s history across NORTH AMERICA! We also provide an Alberta Lien Search at no extra charge, and can conduct lien searches in other jurisdictions for a small additional fee. TIP: all vehicles after 1980 will have 17 digits in the VIN ~ 10th digit is always the year code!
• I sold my vehicle to a friend and need to ensure I have some rights if he does not pay me completely. What can I do?
  While we cannot offer any advice that might be legal in nature, as a creditor with an appropriate Security Agreement, you must register your claim on APPRES to preserve your interest in collateral. If a default occurs, you can instruct a Civil Enforcement Agency to effect seizure of the property.

ID Cards/ Passports

• How can I order my Birth Certificate if I have no identification?
  You can authorize someone who has acceptable identification to apply for your certificate. Your written authorization must also be provided and we must receive all personal information accurately before any certificate can be ordered.
• What type of ID do I require in order to obtain an ID card?
  Please refer to our Acceptable Identification Guidelines
• What do you require to prove residency?
  Only Alberta residents qualify for Alberta services. Official mail you’ve received in your name at your residence such as a utility bill, bank statement or tax documents, or a pay stub, lease agreement or mortgage documents from a legitimate company/financial institution can be accepted. Note, a cellular telephone bill is NOT acceptable proof of residency.
• Can you order birth certificates from other provinces?
  We provide certificates for Alberta events only, however we have the application forms for other provinces available at our office. They must be completed and mailed with payment to that province to be processed.
• I lost my passport and need to declare a Statutory Declaration. Do you have Commissioners for Oaths at your office?
  Yes! We have a number of Commissioner for Oaths on staff duly appointed by the Province of Alberta.
• Do you provide Passport Photos?
  Yes, no appointment required!
• What is the turn around time in obtaining a birth certificate?
  Because Accu-Search Inc. is located so close to where Service Alberta prints the certificates, we generally have them ready for pick-up at 4:00 the business day following your order.

Other FAQs

• I’m thinking of incorporating a new company. How much will it cost?
  We offer a number of incorporation packages starting as low as $236.50! Please call us for more details!
• When I incorporate, can I get my Business and GST Numbers, my Business License and WCB accounts set up through you as well?
  No, but we have information and forms to get you started. Business and GST numbers must be obtained through the Federal Government. Business licenses are generally available from the municipality in which you intend to operate, and WCB information for Alberta is available at http://www.wcb.ab.ca.home.
• Do you have any information about "boating requirements" and where can I take my test?
  YES! We sell the Boating Manuals containing all the information you will require to obtain the boat license, as required by the government of Canada. We can also proctor the examination required to receive your license from an authorized provider.
• Can I register the Discharge of my Mortgage here?
  We can facilitate the removal the registration of the mortgage at Land Titles as long as you provide the evidence of the authorization from the creditor, your identification and the appropriate service request forms required by the Land Titles Office. Additional Runner fees will apply.
• Can you tell me what the legal description of my residence is?
  Yes, we can perform an additional search of the municipal address of the property to obtain it’s legal description, which is necessary to conduct a Land Title Search.
• Can I check to see if there are any judgments, fines or claims registered against me?
  Yes! We can perform an Individual Debtor Search which will disclose any Writs of Enforcement, Security Agreements or Orders that have been registered on the Personal Property System (now called APPRES). We can also confirm if there are any overdue fines impacting your driver’s license or ID card if you attend our offices in person and have ID.
• I need to confirm what information is registered against my residence. What can I do?
  We can conduct a Land Title Search to disclose all mortgages, caveats, and other instruments registered against the land.
• I want to know more technical information about the regional division scheme of Alberta, what is meant by meridians, townships, and sections?

  Alberta is divided by Meridians, major vertical columns beginning with the Alberta / Saskatchewan Border, being the 4^th meridian.  The 5^th meridian runs through Stony Plain and Calgary, and the 6^th meridian passes through Debolt and Jasper.

  Ranges are additional columns between meridians, which are numbered in order from east to west of each meridian.

  Townships are horizontal rows crossing meridians and ranges.  The row adjacent to the U.S. border is called Township 1, the next row northwards is Township 2, and so on up to Township 126 next to the NWT boundry.

  The word Township is also used to describe the area formed when a township row intersects with a range. This Township area contains 36 sections, each about 1 mile square.

  These Sections are numbered in a snake-like fashion from the southeast corner of the township from 1 - 36. 

  Each section can also be subdivided into quarters, described geographically (SE, SW, NW or NE) and numbered in exactly the same method as the Townships, beginning from the southeast corner. 

  Section land that has been subdivided is legally described according to its geographical location; by its meridian, range, township, section and quarter section number.

  So, the Legal Description SW12;36;4;W5th defines a quarter section of land by Raven, Alberta.

  Additional sub-division occurs in a city, town, village or acreage subdivision, and the former legal description is changed to a new legal description defining the land by Plan number, Block number and Lot number.

• Can I file my Annual Returns through you?
  Absolutely! Simply complete the Annual Return form and send it by fax to (780) 421-1280 or to service@accu-search.com and we will contact you for payment, then return your Proof of Filing to you for your minute book.
• I’m going through an Uncontested Divorce. Do you have any self-help packages?
  Yes, we have packages for Uncontested Divorces, Will Kits, Enduring Power of Attorney, and much more!
• Do you provide NUANS searches?
  Absolutely. We have been performing Name Searches and Reservations since 1984 and are consistently the highest accredited volume provider in Alberta!!!

Contact Information

• What are your hours of operation?
  Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm excepting all Statutory Holidays.
• Where is your office located?
• Who do I call if I have a question, complaint or a suggestion?
  Call our General Manager Dave McNeill at 780-424-2340 first, but you may also contact the Government of Alberta at 780-427-7013.