Attestation
You will find in this page:
- What is an attestation of an act in the register?
- Who may request an attestation of an act in the register?
- How to obtain an attestation of an act in the register?
- What document is issued?
- How much does it cost?
- Time required to process a request for attestation of an act in the register
- How to send the signed form accompanied by payment?
Important
An attestation should not be confused with a certificate or copy of an act. A letter attesting to the presence or absence of an act in the register of civil status in no way replaces a certificate or copy of an act in either content or usefulness. You should check with the organization demanding a document to learn which type of document it wants.
What is an attestation of an act in the register?
An attestation is a civil status document that confirms the presence or absence in the register of civil status of Québec of an act of birth, marriage, civil union or death of a person or of a notation required by law to be made in the act.
- Attestation of birth
This attestation deals with the presence or absence in the register of an act of birth or a notation made in this act.
Example:- Confirmation of the birth of a person.
- Attestation of marriage or civil union
This attestation deals with the presence or absence in the register of an act of marriage or civil union or a notation made in this act.
Example:- Confirmation that a person is single, since no act of marriage or civil union was found concerning him or her.
N.B.
For a marriage abroad, certain countries may require proof of celibacy or non-marriage. You must therefore request an attestation of marriage or civil union from the Directeur de l'état civil to confirm your marital status.
- Attestation of death
An attestation of death deals with the presence or absence in the register of an act or a notation made in this act.
Example:- Confirmation that there is no act of death in the register concerning a person.
Who may request an attestation of an act in the register?
By virtue of the Civil Code, the Directeur de l'état civil issues attestations to anyone who requests them if the notation or event it attests to is of the kind which appears on a certificate. Persons wishing to verify information that does not appear on a certificate must justify their interest to the Directeur de l'état civil.
How to obtain an attestation of an act in the register?
Fill out the form Request for attestation of an act in the register. The authorized form is accessible in electronic or paper version.
List of locations where the form is available in paper version:
- Service counters of the Directeur de l'état civil in Québec and Montréal
- By contacting the Directeur de l'état civil
How much does it cost?
The fees are shown in the chart below.
| Attestation | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Attestation if the exact information is provided (regular processing) | $6.10 |
|
| Attestation if the exact information is provided (accelerated processing) | $35.50 |
|
|
Attestation if the information provided is approximate or incomplete and/or a search is required: Minimum fee for a search period covering 5 or years or less Fee for each additional year of search |
$20.25* $4.05 |
|
* Includes the cost of the document and the fees relating to the search.
Time required to process a request for
attestation of an
act in the register
Normal processing
If normal processing is requested, the letter of attestation is issued in less than 12 business days not counting delivery time by ordinary mail.
Accelerated processing
If accelerated processing is requested, the letter of attestation is issued in less than 3 business days not counting:
- delivery time by Xpresspost. (Note that Canada Post ordinary mail is used for documents sent outside Canada.)
What document is issued?
The result of a request for attestation of an act in the register takes the form of a letter attesting whether or not an act or a notation is entered in the register of civil status. The letter bears the seal of the Directeur de l'état civil.
An attestation does not have the same uses as a certificate or copy of an act. Before requesting an attestation of an act in the register, the requester is responsible for finding out what type of document is required from the organization to which it must be presented. In no case can a letter of attestation replace a certificate or copy of an act.
How to send the signed form accompanied by payment?
Don’t forget:
- to sign and date your request;
- to include your payment (make sure that it is enough to cover all search charges).
| Method of transmitting the request | Payment method |
|---|---|
| In person, at one of our service counters: Québec: Directeur de l'état civil 2535, boulevard Laurier, RC Québec Montréal : Directeur de l'état civil 2050, rue De Bleury, RC Montréal |
Credit card* Cheque Postal money order Bank money order Debit card Cash |
| By mail : Directeur de l'état civil 2535, boulevard Laurier Québec (Québec) G1V 5C5 |
Credit card* Cheque Postal money order Bank money order |
| By fax : 418 528-9316 |
Credit card* |
When a request is sent by fax, the quality of the form received varies and it can be illegible. In this case, we cannot process your request and additional delays can be expected.
* If payment is made by credit card, the card holder must sign in the space provided for this purpose in the “Payment Method” section of the form.
For additional information, you are invited to contact us.
Reviewed: 2011-04-01
If you want to make a comment, a suggestion or a complaint,
feel free to contact the Bureau de la qualité des services
