FAQ – Quebec Certificates

General Quebec Certificate Questions
Can I apply for a certificate that is not my own?

Quebec Birth Certificates Questions
Does my birth certificate expire?
Can I get a Canadian passport with out my birth certificate?
What is the difference between a short form and long form birth certificate?

Quebec Marriage Certificate Questions
What do I need to get married?
Can anyone perform a marriage?

Quebec Death Certificate Questions
Why do I need to obtain a death certificate for a relative?

Can I apply for a certificate that is not my own?
You may apply for a certificate that does not have your name on it but you will need to present a valid reason for your application.

Does my birth certificate expire?
No birth certificate expires as long as it remains in good condition.

Can I get a Canadian passport without my birth certificate?
If you were born in Canada you need your Canadian birth certificate to obtain a Canadian passport.

What is the difference between a short form (wallet-sized) and long form?
As is indicated by their names, their difference is in the size. Moreover, a short form birth certificate will contain less information than a long form certificate. Additionally, most government agencies (Canadian as well as International) will only take long form birth certificates.

What do I need to get married?
To be married without the consent of your parents, you need to be over the age of 18. If you are between the ages of 16 and 18, you need to have your parents give legal consent to your marriage.

Can anyone perform a marriage?
No. Only persons authorized by the government of Quebec (including religious leaders) are allowed to perform a marriage.

Why do I need to obtain a death certificate for a relative?
You need to obtain one because a death certificate is the only legal way to prove that person’s death and allows that person estate to receive the benefits left by that person. Also, a death certificate will change the legal civil status of that person’s spouse.