Are Quebec birth certificates in French?

Yes, Quebec certificates are issued in French. IRCC accepts documents in English or French without translation, so a French-language Quebec certificate is perfectly valid for your citizenship application.

How far back do Quebec vital records go?

Quebec has some of the oldest vital records in North America. Church parish registers (baptisms, marriages, burials) date back to the early 1600s. Civil registration by the provincial government began in 1994, but the Directeur de l'etat civil holds records transferred from parishes going back centuries.

What if my ancestor's name was changed or anglicized?

This is extremely common with French-Canadian names. Pierre became Peter, Jean-Baptiste became John, Leblanc became White. Check parish registers and census records for the original French name, and include a note explaining the name variation in your CIT 0001 application.

Can I order a Quebec birth certificate if I live in the United States?

Yes. The DEClic! online portal accepts international orders. You can also order by mail by sending the completed application form to the Directeur de l'etat civil office in Quebec City.

How long does it take to receive a Quebec birth certificate in the US?

Processing times vary depending on current volume and the delivery method you choose. Allow 4-8 weeks for standard processing and international mail delivery. Priority processing is available for an additional fee.

Quebec

How to Order a Quebec Birth Certificate (2026 Guide)

Quebec is the most common province of origin for Americans with Canadian ancestry, thanks to centuries of French-Canadian migration to New England and the Northeast. The Directeur de l'etat civil manages all Quebec vital records, and their online DEClic! portal makes ordering straightforward — even from the United States.

Cost

$34–$77

Canadian dollars

Processing Time

Varies by processing type

Plus delivery time

How to Order

Online (DEClic!), mail, or in-person

Directeur de l'etat civil

Step-by-Step Ordering Instructions

Visit the DEClic! online portal at services.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca

Select 'Certificate' (not 'Copy of an act') — the certificate is the standard document accepted for citizenship applications

Enter the person's full name, date of birth, and parents' names as they appear on the original registration

Choose your delivery method: regular mail or priority processing

Pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard accepted)

Wait for delivery — regular processing varies; priority is faster but costs more

Long-Form vs Short-Form: Which Do You Need?

Important for Citizenship Applications

Quebec does not use the terms 'long-form' or 'short-form.' Instead, they issue a 'certificate' (which shows parents' names and is suitable for citizenship applications) and a 'copy of an act' (the full original registration). For CIT 0001 applications, order the certificate — it includes all the information IRCC needs.

Tips for Ordering from the United States

International Ordering

The DEClic! portal accepts orders from outside Canada. Certificates are mailed internationally. Payments are processed in Canadian dollars. If you don't have the exact details (parents' names as registered), contact the Directeur de l'etat civil by phone or email before ordering — they can search their records to help you locate the registration.

What If You Can't Find a Record?

Alternative Sources

For records before 1994 (when civil registration was transferred from churches to the state), you may also need to search parish registers through BAnQ (Bibliotheque et Archives nationales du Quebec) or the Drouin Collection at genealogiequebec.com. Many Quebec baptismal records dating back to the 1600s are digitized and searchable for free through FamilySearch.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help With Your Citizenship Application?

MaplePass guides you through the entire process — from ordering documents to submitting your CIT 0001 application.

Order Birth Certificates From Other Provinces

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