Who must complete and sign the Declaration of Birth?
The child's parents are responsible for declaring their child's birth to the Directeur de l'état civil.
If you are married or in a civil union
You or the other parent can complete and sign the declaration of birth if the child was born during your marriage or civil union or within 300 days after its end. However, to establish the child filiation, the parent who completes the declaration must provide all the required information on the child's other parent.
Note that only the mother or parent who gave birth to the child may provide certain consents in the Application for Simplified Access to Birth-related Government Programs and Services.
If you are in a de facto union
You or the other parent can complete and sign the declaration of birth if the child was born during the de facto union or within 300 days after the end of the union. However, the de facto spouse who is the only person signing the declaration of birth must provide all the following documents with the print version of the declaration form:
- An affidavit stating that the child was born during the de facto union or within 300 days after the end of the union
- An affidavit from a third party corroborating your declaration
- Any evidence proving your de facto union or the relationship between your child and the other parent who did not sign the declaration
If necessary, the Directeur de l'état civil may request additional information or documents. For more information on the required documents, please contact us.
If your are single
Both parents must complete and sign the declaration of birth so that the child's filiation can be established.
If you are the child's only parent, you must indicate “Undeclared” in the “Other parent” section of the declaration of birth.
Note that only the mother or parent who gave birth to the child may provide certain consents in the Application for Simplified Access to Birth-related Government Programs and Services.
If only one parent declares his or her filiation with the child
If you are the child's only parent, you must indicate “Undeclared” in the “Other parent” section of the declaration of birth.
Declarant other than the child's parents
If the child's parents, are unknown or cannot act for themselves, the Declaration may be completed and signed by the person who has custody of the child. This declarant may be a relative or any other person who picks up the child. In the event that he or she picks up or keeps the child, the person declaring the birth must attach a note to the Declaration relating the facts and circumstances and specify, if they are known, the names of the mother or of the parent who gave birth to the child and of the other parent.
If, as declarant, you are not the Public Curator of Québec or a youth centre, you must specify your relationship with the child (e.g. grandparent, uncle, aunt, tutor).
Reviewed: 2022-08-08
