A death certificate and a copy of an act of death confirm that the death has been recorded in the Québec register of civil status. These documents are used to settle successions and terminate access to benefits under government programs. They also determine the start date for the payment of benefits, pensions, annuities and other survivors’ benefits.

Only the person named in the act of death and persons who justify their interest may request a death certificate or a copy of the act of death. For example: the executor of the succession, a family member, the person who declared the death or the funeral director.