Foreign birth or marriage certificate: insertion into the Quebec register
To insert an act made outside Quebec into the civil status register, a document in a language other than French must come with a French translation by an OTTIAQ member.
A birth, marriage, civil union or death that took place outside Quebec can be inserted into the Quebec register of civil status. Here is what the Directeur de l’état civil asks for the translation.
Who can apply
- Birth act: the person themselves or a parent for their child.
- Marriage or civil union act: one of the spouses.
- Death act: the spouse, a parent of the deceased or any person who shows an interest.
The translation rule
If the act or judgment is written in a language other than French, you must attach the original of a French translation made or certified true by a member of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ).
Note: an English translation is not enough here. The Directeur de l’état civil asks for a French translation.
What the Directeur keeps
The Directeur de l’état civil keeps the original act or certified document and the original French translation. Other originals are returned to you. It may also ask for proof that the act was issued by the competent authority of the country where it was drawn up.
Order the translation
In the order form, choose the OTTIAQ translation. Translation by a certified translator: from $99, before taxes.