Certificates and copies of acts

Certificates and copies of acts are separate, official documents issued by the Directeur de l’état civil.

An organization may require a certificate or a copy of an act in order to verify certain information or as proof of a civil status event entered in the Québec register of civil status. Before ordering a certificate or a copy of an act, contact the organization in question to find out what document you have to submit.

A certificate or a copy of an act can be obtained for the following life events:

• Birth
• Marriage
• Civil union
• Death

The cost of a certificate or a copy of an act varies depending on how the application is submitted and the type of processing selected.

Important

In order for a civil status document to be issued in respect of a birth, marriage, civil union or death, the event must first be entered in the Québec register of civil status. Once the event has been registered, your application for a certificate, a copy of an act or an attestation can be processed. For more information, see the Entering of events in the register of civil status section.

There are inherent risks that come with having several outstanding certificates or copies of an act. Consequently, when an application for a large number of certificates or copies of an act is filed or when these documents are the subject of repeated applications, the Directeur de l’état civil may require additional information or documents to justify these applications.

Furthermore, in order to avoid having to file several applications for a certificate or a copy of an act with the Directeur de l’état civil, the applicant may ask the organization to which a certificate or copy of an act is provided to return this document so the applicant can use it again.

Top of page

Other useful links

Information

• Entering of events in the register of civil status
• Who can apply for a certificate or a copy of an act?
• Establishing the applicant's identity
• Identity documents and proofs of home address accepted by the Directeur de l'état civil
• Which document to request: a certificate or a copy of an act?
• Language of acts of civil status and issuing of documents
• Three ways to order a certificate or a copy of an act
• Online
• By mail
• At a Service Québec office that provides Directeur de l'état civil services by means of the online service DEClic! Comptoir
• Fees and processing time
• Methods of payment accepted
• How to apply for a certificate or a copy of an act outside Québec
• Cancellation or modification of an application for a certificate or a copy of an act
• Requests to correct information in a certificate or a copy of an act
• Loss or theft of a certificate or a copy of an act
• Security features of certificates and copies of acts
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)



Forms

• Application for a Certificate or Copy of an Act of Birth (PDF, 514 Ko)
• Application for a Certificate or Copy of an Act of Marriage or Civil Union (PDF, 492 Ko)
• Application for a Certificate or Copy of an Act of Death (PDF, 537 Ko)
• Special Power of Attorney for the Application for a Certificate or Copy of an Act of Birth (PDF, 244 Ko)
• Special Power of Attorney for the Application for a Certificate or Copy of an Act of Marriage or Civil Union (PDF, 244 Ko)
• Special Power of Attorney for the Application for a Certificate or Copy of an Act of Death (PDF, 244 Ko)



Online Services

• DEClic! - Application for a certificate or copy of an act with ClicSÉQUR
• DEClic! Express - Application for a certificate or copy of an act using your Rapid Secure Access Number (RSAN) (This service is available only to users who have received a letter confirming an event recently entered in the register of civil status.)
• Verification of the processing status of an online application
  

  The Charter of the French language and its regulations govern the consultation of English-language content.

Top of page

Reviewed: 2024-02-12