In a residence in Lewiston, Maine, there exists a significant document.

Back in 1987, a Quebec birth certificate was obtained by an individual’s mother to support a passport application requiring proof of her father’s birthplace. This certificate, adorned with a seal and signature, has been stored in a folder for decades, awaiting the day it would be needed.

That day has now arrived, but the certificate faces an unexpected hurdle, not due to its relevance but rather the year it was issued by the province.

Key Regulation

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a strict policy regarding birth and marriage certificates from Quebec issued before January 1, 1994.

IRCC’s guidelines for citizenship certificate applications explicitly state the rejection of pre-1994 Quebec documents, emphasizing the importance of rectifying this issue before submission.

For individuals preparing a citizenship by descent application, verifying the print date of their Quebec paperwork is crucial before proceeding.

Significance of Print Date

IRCC’s primary concern with Quebec documents is the date of printing by the issuing office.

A document issued in 1987 by the province is deemed invalid, regardless of its content, while a recent document detailing an event from the past complies with the regulations if printed after the specified cutoff date.

Understanding this distinction is vital in determining the necessary steps to rectify the situation if your document predates 1994.

Actions for Pre-1994 Documents

If your Quebec document was printed before 1994, the solution is to request a new document from the appropriate office based on the event’s age, rather than solely relying on the 1994 rule.

Quebec divides its civil records based on a 100-year timeline, with specific offices responsible for different periods.