Attestation
What is an attestation?
An attestation is a civil status document in the form of a letter that confirms the presence or absence in the Québec register of civil status of an act of birth, marriage, civil union or death, or the presence or absence of a notation required by law to be made in the act.
Important
An attestation must not be confused with a certificate or a copy of an act. An attestation does not replace a certificate or a copy of an act in either content or usefulness. A number of organizations do not accept an attestation as proof of a civil status event. They require a certificate or a copy of an act. You are responsible for asking the organization requiring proof of a civil status event which document it accepts.
Attestations issued
Language of the attestation issued
The attestation is drawn up in French.
Attestation of birth
An attestation of birth confirms the presence or absence in the Québec register of civil status of an act of birth or a notation made in such act.
Attestation of marriage or civil union
An attestation of marriage or civil union confirms the presence or absence in the Québec register of civil status of an act of marriage or civil union or a notation made in such act.
Before solemnizing a marriage or civil union, whether the event takes place in Québec or elsewhere, some officiants may require an attestation indicating that both individuals are single.
Attestation of death
An attestation of death confirms the presence or absence in the Québec register of civil status of an act of death or a notation made in such act.
Who may request an attestation?
Under the Civil Code of Québec, the Directeur de l'état civil issues an attestation to anyone who requests one, provided the event or notation attested to is of the kind that 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, who will determine whether or not an attestation may be issued.
How to obtain an attestation
To obtain an attestation, you must complete the Application for an Attestation form available in the Forms and publications section.
For information on the processing time for an application and the cost to obtain an attestation, see Fees and Processing Time section.
Reviewed: 2022-08-30
