Special Places

Palaeontology Permits and Guidelines

It is against the law to excavate or collection fossils in Nova Scotia without a Heritage Research Permit. The permit system is in place to make sure that:

Individuals excavating fossils are qualified to do the work;
The excavation is well planned;
Any recovered fossils are properly studied and cared for;
A report about the work conducted is drafted and submitted to the provincial repository for future use by researchers, educators and the general public.

Palaeontology permits are available in two categories: Field Research and Professional Research.

To apply for a permit follow these steps:

1. Review the guidelines to understand which permit applies.

2. Complete, sign and date the Heritage Research Permit.

3. Submit your application to the Special Places Program.