Manitobans can now apply online to the province for vital documents including birth, marriage and death certificates.

The province says the new online service follows testing by the Vital Statistics Agency that began in April. They have received more than 5,000 online applications since testing began.

It says the move will improve access, be more convenient and will reduce delays.

The province says residents should ensure they are going to the Vital Statistics website (vitalstats.gov.mb.ca) because it charges lower fees than third-party private sites that submit applications on a person's behalf.