Once the death of a close relation is recorded in the register of civil status, you may request a death certificate or a copy of an act of death from the Directeur de l'état civil.
You will use these official documents to terminate government programs and request benefits. They also determine to start date for the payment of pensions, annuities and other survivor benefits.
The Directeur de l'état civil issues the following civil status documents pertaining to death:
- death certificate
- copy of an act of death
- attestation of death
The only documents that provide proof of death are a death certificate or a copy of an act of death. Purposes for which they are used include:
- facilitating the settlement of a succession
- determining the start of benefits or pension payments to survivors
Some organizations accept an attestation as proof of death. Others require a death certificate or a copy of the act of death. Therefore, when a proof of death is required you should check with the organization concerned as to what type of document it accepts.
The Directeur can only issue a death certificate or a copy of the act of death if the death is recorded in the Québec register of civil status. The certificate or copy of the act will be issued in the same language as that in which the death was recorded in the register.
Death Certificate
A death certificate contains the following information about the deceased person:
- family name, given names, gender, date of birth
- the date, time and place of death
Other information on the certificate includes the registration number of the death in the Québec register of civil status and the number and date of issue of the certificate.
Copy of an Act of Death
A copy of an act of death reproduces all of the information on the act of death. However, certain information may be missing if the death occurred before 1994. Also on the copy of the act are the number and date of issue of the copy.
Attestation of Death
An attestation of death is a letter bearing the seal of the Directeur de l'état civil. It certifies the presence or absence of:
- an act of death for a person in the Québec register of civil status
- any information that, by law, must be shown on the act of death
Act of Death Issued Outside of Québec
The Directeur de l'état civil can insert into the Québec register of civil status an act of death issued outside of Québec by a competent authority. The act must concern a person who was domiciled in Québec. After inserting such an act, the Directeur can issue a death certificate, an attestation of death or a copy of the act of death.
Note
Despite its insertion into the register, an act of death issued outside of Québec is a semi-authentic document (see Definitions), unless its validity has been recognized by a Québec court. Certificates, attestations and copies pertaining to such an act that are issued by the Directeur de l'état civil will bear a statement as to the semi-authentic nature of the act.
Semi-authentic Document
Document issued by the Directeur de l'état civil, certifying that an event took place outside of Québec and that the act concerning it was originally drawn up by a public officer in another province or territory, or outside of Canada.
Since the clientele and conditions vary according to the service, the information is provided under each service.
