A will search tells you whether a deceased person registered a will. To carry out a will search you’ll need official proof of death. You must then submit a will search request through the Portal which handles requests for both Quebec’s notaries’ association, called the Chambre des notaires, and the Quebec bar.
Obtain official proof of death
To carry out a will search you’ll either need a “Copy of an Act of Death” or a “Death Certificate.” You can request one on the website of the Directeur de l’état civil (director of civil status).
These documents contain information on the deceased person. Although the death certificate contains a lot of information, the copy of an act of death is more complete and gives greater detail. To find out more about the information included in each of these documents, visit the Directeur de l’état civil’s website.
Request a will search on the Portal registry service for wills
TYou can use the single Portal registry service for wills and protection mandates to submit one centralized request to search both the Quebec bar’s register and the Chambre des notaires’ register (Quebec’s notaries’ association). These registers are independent.
A single request is enough to verify if the deceased person left a will. To make such a search, you’ll need the following information about the deceased:
- full name
- date of birth and date of death
- civil status (whether single, married, divorced)
- social insurance number
- previous addresses
The more information you provide, the more accurate the information and the quicker the will searches will be carried out.
The notaries’ association and the Quebec bar will not send you copies of the deceased person’s will. Instead, they’ll send you a “search certificate” indicating whether or not a will was registered with them. If a will was registered, the certificate will indicate which notary or lawyer has the will and what their contact information is.
Will search with the Chambre des notaires du Québec
How to request a will search
Online or by printing the form from the Chambre des notaires du Québec.
Where to send it
You can submit the form online, or if you have printed it, send it by mail or submit it in person to the Chambre des notaires. The address is provided on the form.
Documents to attach
If you request a will search online: a scanned copy of the official proof of death.
If you request a will search by filling out a paper form:
- Official proof of death
- A copy of the official proof of death if you want the original returned to you
How long it takes
Usually two to three weeks.
Sooner if you ask for rush service.
Cost
About $20 to $60, depending on the type of service (regular or rush).
For more information
Chambre des notaires du Québec at 514-879-2906 or 1-800-340-4496
You can ask a notary or lawyer to carry out the will search. In this case, you’ll have to pay their professional fees, in addition to the cost of the will search.