Quebec Birth, Marriage and Death Records for Canadian Citizenship by Descent
For citizenship by descent, Quebec records sit with two offices. The Registrar of Civil Status holds events less than 100 years old, and Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) holds older ones back to 1621. BAnQ gives you baptism, marriage and burial copies, not birth certificates. IRCC also does not accept Quebec birth or marriage certificates issued before 1 January 1994.
since 1991
Where do I order Quebec records for citizenship by descent?
Order from the Registrar of Civil Status (Directeur de l’état civil) if the event is less than 100 years old, and from BAnQ if it is older. BAnQ preserves vital records from 1621 to 100 years ago, and the Registrar keeps those less than 100 years old (BAnQ, checked October 2026).
Before 1994, Quebec births were recorded only in municipal and parish registers. Since the 1994 Civil Code changes, births, marriages and deaths are registered with the Registrar alone.
What is the 1994 rule?
IRCC does not accept Quebec birth or marriage certificates issued before 1 January 1994 (IRCC guidance, as reported by CIC News in July 2026). The date that counts is the date the document was issued, so a new copy of an old record can still work.
What to know before you order
- BAnQ: use its online form only, and put every record in the same form
- Registrar: choose a copy of the act, the complete official document
- Language: French records need no translation for IRCC, because French is an official language
Which office holds your record?
The age of the event decides the office.
BAnQ
- Baptism, marriage and burial records
- Events from 1621 to 100 years ago
- Certified reproductions, not birth certificates
Registrar of Civil Status
- Events less than 100 years old
- Certificates and copies of acts
- Birth, marriage and death records
Not sure your claim works? Take the citizenship eligibility quiz before you order records.
Your Quebec records, in five parts
Each Quebec event sits with one office. Source: IRCC.
Older baptism, marriage and burial records, by online request.
Newer birth, marriage and death records, by certificate or copy of act.
Take the quiz before you spend money on records.
See how parish records support a French-Canadian claim.
See what IRCC accepts when a Quebec record cannot be found.
Records scattered across provinces?
We find the right office for each ancestor and prepare your file.
What to know before you order
Events under 100 years old
The Registrar of Civil Status keeps vital records less than 100 years old.
Events from 1621 to 100 years ago
BAnQ preserves these records, which are mostly parish and municipal registers.
No pre-1994 certificates
IRCC does not accept Quebec birth or marriage certificates issued before 1 January 1994.
BAnQ gives baptism copies
BAnQ provides a certified reproduction of a baptism, marriage or burial record. It does not issue birth certificates.
Certificate or copy of act
A certificate shows the key details. A copy of an act is the complete official document, so choose the copy.
No no-record letter
BAnQ cannot issue a letter saying a record does not exist. It only emails you if it finds nothing.
Related pages
These guides cover the wider claim.
How to avoid problems with Quebec records
Five habits save time and money.
Check the 100-year line
The age of the event decides which office holds the record.
Order a copy of the act
It is the complete document, so it shows more than a certificate.
Use one BAnQ form
Put every record you need in the same online form, or the extra request is not processed.
Order new copies
A new copy of an old record avoids the pre-1994 issue date problem.
Get advice early
BAnQ has long delays, so plan your timeline before you apply.
Want your records checked?
We tell you which Quebec records you need and which office holds them.
Ordering Quebec records, step by step
Six steps from the first year to the finished file.
List the event years
Write down the year of each birth, baptism, marriage and death.
Pick the office
Use BAnQ for events over 100 years old and the Registrar for newer ones.
Fill in the BAnQ form
Use the online form, list every record and wait for the quote.
Order from the Registrar
Apply online and choose a copy of the act.
Check names and dates
Make sure they match your other records.
Add it to your file
Include it in your citizenship certificate application.
Five mistakes with Quebec records
These mistakes cost time and money.
Using a pre-1994 certificate
IRCC does not accept it, so order a new copy.
Asking BAnQ for a birth certificate
BAnQ gives baptism copies only.
Splitting BAnQ requests
A second form is not processed, so use one form.
Expecting a no-record letter
BAnQ does not issue one, so plan another proof.
Mixing up the years
A wrong year sends you to the wrong office.
Want a second set of eyes?
We check your Quebec records before you apply.
Quebec records facts at a glance
Key facts from BAnQ and the Registrar of Civil Status, checked October 2026. Last updated: October 2026.
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Quebec records FAQs
Where do I get Quebec records for citizenship by descent?
Order from the Registrar of Civil Status if the event is less than 100 years old, and from BAnQ if it is older. BAnQ keeps vital records from 1621 to 100 years ago (BAnQ, checked October 2026). Start at the BAnQ vital records page or the Registrar of Civil Status page.
What is the 1994 rule for Quebec documents?
IRCC does not accept Quebec birth or marriage certificates issued before 1 January 1994 (IRCC guidance, as reported by CIC News in July 2026). The issue date counts, not the event date, so a new copy of an old record can still work.
Can BAnQ give me a birth certificate?
No. BAnQ provides a copy of a baptism record, not a birth certificate. Before 1994, Quebec births were recorded only in municipal and parish registers (BAnQ, checked October 2026).
How much does BAnQ charge?
The fee is $55 for Quebec residents. Non-residents pay $350 for the first copy and $100 for each extra copy, and postal delivery is not included. BAnQ sends a quote once the records are found.
How long does BAnQ take?
BAnQ warns of major delays because of a very high number of requests, and it cannot estimate the time. You must use its online form, and phone or email requests are not processed.
What do the Registrar of Civil Status copies cost?
Online with normal service, a certificate costs $38.50 and a copy of an act costs $46.75, with a 10-day processing time. Accelerated service takes 3 days and costs $75, and the fees run through 31 March 2027 (Registrar of Civil Status, checked October 2026). See the fee page.
Should I order a certificate or a copy of the act?
Order the copy of the act. A certificate shows the key information, while a copy of the act is the complete official document, which better shows the parent and child link.
Can I order the record of an ancestor?
You can order a document for someone else if your name appears in the act, or if you establish your interest with proof. This also applies to a person who has died (Registrar of Civil Status, checked October 2026).
Do I need to translate French records?
No. French is an official language, so IRCC does not ask for a translation of French documents. IRCC asks for certified translations only of documents in other languages.
What if BAnQ finds nothing?
BAnQ cannot issue a letter saying a record does not exist, and it only emails you if nothing is found. Read our guide on what IRCC accepts when a record is missing.