Fees and processing time
Processing time for entering an event in the register of civil status
Entering an event in the register of civil status is a free service. Files are processed in the order the required documents, mentioned in the table below, are received, rather than the date of the event. There is no accelerated processing for this service.
The processing time to register a new event in the register of civil status begins once the required documents mentioned in the chart above are received by the Directeur de l'état civil.
Time period for entering an event in the register of civil status if the documents received are complete and exact
| Civil status event | Time period for entering an event in the register of civil status |
|---|---|
| Birth | 15 business days |
| Marriage | 45 business days |
| Civil union | 45 business days |
| Death | 20 business days |
This time period is to be expected for parents who wish to travel abroad with their newborn after birth, for any reason, including when the parents come to Québec to give birth to their child and wish to return quickly to their home country.
Fees and processing time for obtaining a certificate or copy of an act
In the case of a recent event, the time period for entering an event in the register of civil status must be taken into account. We cannot process your application for a certificate, a copy of an act or an attestation until the event has been registered.
The cost of the document varies depending on how the application is submitted and the type of processing selected. We offer normal and accelerated processing of applications.
If you choose normal processing, the document will be sent to you by regular mail. If you choose accelerated processing, the document will be mailed to you via Xpresspost (only if the delivery address is in Canada).
| Method used to submit your application | Normal processing (10 business days) If the event occurred recently and the documents received are complete and exact, add the time period for entering the event in the register. | Accelerated processing (3 business days) If the event occurred recently and the documents received are complete and exact, add the time period for entering the event in the register. | ||
| Cost per certificate | Cost per copy of an act | Cost per certificate | Cost per copy of an act | |
| Online | $36.75 | $44.50 | $71.50 | $71.50 |
| By mail | $52.50 | $61.25 | $78.25 | $78.25 |
| At any of the Services Québec offices that provide Directeur de l’état civil services-using the following means: | ||||
|
$36.75 | $44.50 | $71.50 | $71.50 |
|
$52.50 | $61.25 | $78.25 | $78.25 |
Note de bas de tableau 1
* Excluding the time needed to register the event (if recent) and the delivery time. Fees are in Canadian dollars and are in effect until March 31, 2025. Retour à la référence de la note 1
Additional processing time
Additional processing time may be required in the following cases:
- The application is incomplete (e.g. it is not signed, payment is not included, not all fields of the form are filled out).
- The information on the form differs from the information in the register.
- It is difficult to verify certain information concerning the identity of an applicant or a guarantor.
- The address for delivery of the documents indicated on the form differs from the address on the photocopies of the documents.
- The photocopies of documents do not meet the requirements indicated in the general information and instructions on the corresponding “Application for a Certificate or Copy of an Act” form.
Fees and processing time for obtaining a attestation
Attestation
We offer normal and accelerated processing of applications. Cost and processing time vary according to the type of processing you choose, the period covered by the search and the accuracy of the information you provide in support of your application. If the information provided is accurate, the cost of an attestation may be appreciably lower.
If you choose normal processing, the document will be sent to you by regular mail. If you choose accelerated processing, the document will be mailed to you by Xpresspost. Please note that Xpresspost service is available only in Canada.
| Accuracy of the information provided and period covered by the search | Normal processing (10 business days) | Accelerated processing (3 business days) | Cost per attestation | Cost per attestation |
|---|---|---|
| The information provided is accurate | $7.55 | $44.75 |
| The information provided is approximate or incomplete (period covered by a search of years or less) | $25.50 | $62.70 |
| Cost for every additional year searched | $5.20 | $5.20 |
Detailed attestation
We offer normal and accelerated processing of applications. Cost and processing time vary according to the type of processing you choose, the period covered by the search and the accuracy of the information you provide in support of your application. If the information provided is accurate, the cost of an attestation may be appreciably lower.
If you choose normal processing, the document will be sent to you by regular mail. If you choose accelerated processing, the document will be mailed to you by Xpresspost. Please note that Xpresspost service is available only in Canada.
| Normal processing (10 business days) | Accelerated processing (3 business days) | Cost per attestation | Cost per attestation |
|---|---|
| $26.50 | $63.50 |
Other fee-based services offered by the Directeur de l'état civil
The table below shows the fees charged.
| Services | Fees |
|---|---|
| Change of name | |
| Surname or given name change for one person only (adult or child, including issuance of the first change of name certificate) | $157.00 |
| Surname change for a child under 18, when included with surname change for the parent (including issuance of the first change of name certificate) | $32.00 |
| Issuance of a change of name certificate | $12.80 |
| Substitution of the usual given name by another given name on the act of birth | $129.00 |
| Change of sexe designation | |
| First application for a change of sex designation | Free |
| Second or subsequent application for a change of sex designation | $157.00 |
| Issuance of a change of sex designation certificate | $12.80 |
| Copy of the original act of birth | |
| Application for a copy of the original act of birth | $61.25 |
| Declaration of filiation | |
| Processing of a late declaration of filiation (less than one year) | $63.50 |
| Processing of a late declaration of filiation (more than one year) | $128.00 |
| Registration of birth | |
| Processing of an application for late registration of birth (less than one year) | $63.50 |
| Processing of an application for late registration of birth (more than one year) | $128.00 |
Reviewed: 2024-11-01
