Quebec civil status: birth certificate, copy of an act, marriage records and name changes
Learn which document to order from the Directeur de l’état civil, how certificates differ from copies of acts, and where to start for a name change or correction.
Certificate or copy of an act?
They are different official documents. A certificate reproduces the main information from the civil-status act, while a copy of an act contains the information that can legally be disclosed from the act. Before paying, check exactly which document the requesting organization requires.
Common records
- Birth
- Marriage
- Civil union
- Death
Ordering a document
The Directeur de l’état civil offers online services such as DEClic as well as other submission methods. Cost and processing time can depend on the method and service requested.
Name change
A name change is not the same as ordering a new certificate. Quebec has an administrative process with eligibility requirements, while some situations may require a court process. After an approved change, records with other organizations must be updated separately.
Correcting an error
If the issue is an error in a civil-status record, use the correction process rather than automatically applying for a name change.