Quality and Authenticity Certificates
The quality certificate affirms that a person is a practicing notary duly entered on the roll of the Ordre des notaires du Québec. The quality certificate can also establish that the person mentioned was a notary in the past or has never been one.
As for the certificate of authenticity, it establishes the quality of the notary, and also confirms that the notary's signature on a notarized document matches with the one deposed on the record hold by the secretary of the Ordre des notaires du Québec, in compliance with the Notaries Act.
Both certificate of authenticity and the certificate of quality are signed by the secretary of the Ordre des notaires du Québec or the assistant secretary.
The apostille
An apostille is a special seal granted by an authority to certify that an official document is a true copy of the original. Apostilles are available in countries that are parties to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, better known as the Hague Convention.
What is the purpose of the apostille ?
An apostille is used each time a copy of an official document originating from a foreign country is needed; for example, for marriages, adoptions, successions or even international contracts. The apostille is an official confirmation that the copy of the document is true to the original.
Please note that Canada does not adhere to the certification procedure provided for by the Hague Convention. The practice of the Chambre des notaires du Québec, however, is a substitute for the apostille and is accepted everywhere.
Steps to follow to obtain a certificate of authenticity
Any document submitted for authentication must have the original signature of a member or an ex-member of the Chambre des notaires du Québec.
- An appointment is mandatory :
Mr. Daniel Arsenault,
Certification Officer
514-315-6095
1-800-263-1793, extension 5640
service.certificats@cdnq.org - Send in your request by mail or courier to the following address:
Chambre des notaires du Québec
c/o Mr. Daniel Arsenault
600 1801, McGill College Avenue
Montreal, Quebec H3A 0A7
or
Information that must be provided
- your contact information (last name, first name, telephone number, full address)
- the name of the notary who signed the documents
- the number of documents to be authenticated
- the type of document (mandate, will, declaration of heredity, etc.)
- the language in which the certificate should be issued (English or French)
- if by mail or courier, include payment (certified cheque, money order or credit card number with the date of expiry) and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope or prepaid courier coupon.
The issuing of a certificate for any document en minute or delivered in original takes 24 hours from the time the file is complete.
Any request for certification required in less than 24 hours will be considered a express service and will be charged at $50 per unit (see rates).
Rates
Please note that personal cheques are not accepted. Payment can be made by certified cheque, money order, debit card or credit card. Only MasterCard and Visa are accepted.
If the application for a certificate is sent to us by mail or by courier and you wish to pay with MasterCard or Visa, you must indicate your card number and expiry date.
Only applications from members of the Ordre may be charged to the notary's account.
Basic rates:
- regular certificate : $30*
- fifth and subsequent certificates in the same file : $15*
- express certificate (in less than 24 hours or on the spot) : $50*
* plus tax
Hours
Our authentication service is available
from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The reception of the Chambre des notaires du Québec can, however, receive your documents from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.