Affidavit — Quebec (Déclaration sous serment)

In Quebec, an oath for an affidavit may be administered by: a notary (notaire), a commissioner for oaths (commissaire à l'assermentation) appointed under the Act respecting Commissioners for oaths, a judge, a justice of the peace, or certain other officials authorized by law. Lawyers (avocats) may also administer oaths in certain circumstances. The person administering the oath must physically witness the deponent sign the document and must confirm the deponent's identity.

Making a false statement in a Quebec affidavit (declaration sous serment) constitutes perjury under section 131 of the Criminal Code of Canada, an indictable offence punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment. Under the Code of Civil Procedure (CQLR c C-25.01), art. 91 makes affidavit evidence subject to the same standards of truthfulness as viva voce testimony. The deponent is personally liable for false statements regardless of whether the affidavit was prepared by a lawyer from the Barreau du Quebec or a notary from the Chambre des notaires du Quebec. Courts before the Superior Court of Quebec, the Court of Quebec, and the Court of Appeal of Quebec treat perjury with utmost seriousness. Administrative tribunals such as the Tribunal administratif du Quebec (TAQ) may also refer cases to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) where false affidavit evidence is suspected. Forms-legal.com strongly advises deponents to verify every factual statement before swearing.

A Quebec affidavit sworn before a Quebec commissioner for oaths or notary is generally recognized across Canadian provinces under the Canada Evidence Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-5) and provincial evidence acts. However, each province may have specific formatting or authentication requirements. For use outside Canada — in immigration proceedings before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), or in international commercial arbitration — the affidavit may require an apostille under the Hague Convention or consular certification. Revenu Quebec and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) both accept properly sworn Quebec affidavits in tax dispute proceedings. For use before the Superior Court of Quebec in cross-border litigation, art. 493 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CQLR c C-25.01) governs the admissibility of foreign affidavit evidence. Forms-legal.com recommends confirming the specific requirements of the receiving jurisdiction before relying on a Quebec affidavit abroad.

A Quebec affidavit does not require a lawyer from the Barreau du Quebec to draft it, but it must be sworn before an authorized person — a notary (notaire) from the Chambre des notaires du Quebec, a commissioner for oaths appointed under the Act Respecting Commissioners for Oaths (RLRQ c C-20), a judge, or a justice of the peace. Without proper jurat authentication, the document has no legal standing before the Superior Court of Quebec, the Court of Quebec, or administrative bodies such as the Tribunal administratif du logement or the Tribunal administratif du Quebec (TAQ). Lawyers who are members of the Barreau du Quebec may also administer oaths in connection with their professional activities. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point — always have the affidavit sworn before a qualified commissioner to preserve its evidentiary value.

A valid Quebec affidavit (declaration sous serment) must contain: the full legal name, address, and occupation of the deponent; a clear statement that the facts are within personal knowledge or, where based on information and belief, an identification of the source; numbered paragraphs each stating a single fact; and a jurat clause identifying the commissioner for oaths or notary from the Chambre des notaires du Quebec, the date and place of swearing, and signatures of both the deponent and the commissioner. Under art. 91 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CQLR c C-25.01), the affidavit must comply with the formal requirements set by the Superior Court of Quebec and the Court of Quebec. Exhibits attached to the affidavit must be identified in the body of the sworn statement and marked by the commissioner. The Act Respecting Commissioners for Oaths (RLRQ c C-20) governs the appointment and powers of commissioners. Revenu Quebec and administrative bodies such as the Tribunal administratif du logement accept affidavits meeting these requirements. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Quebec-compliant sworn declarations.