Adoption Consent Form — Quebec (Consentement à l'adoption)

Under CCQ art. 544, the consent of the child's father and mother, or of the tutor, is required for an adoption to proceed. If the child is 10 years of age or older, the child's own consent is also required under CCQ art. 550. In cases where a parent cannot be found or refuses unreasonably to consent, the court may dispense with consent under CCQ art. 552. The DPJ (Director of Youth Protection) may also give consent in cases involving children under public protection.

Under CCQ art. 548, a biological parent who has given consent to adoption may revoke that consent within 30 days of signing. The revocation must be made in writing and delivered to the Director of Youth Protection (Directeur de la protection de la jeunesse — DPJ) or to the notary before whom the consent was given. After the 30-day revocation period expires, the consent becomes irrevocable and the Superior Court of Quebec may proceed with the adoption judgment. If both parents have given consent and neither revokes within the 30-day period, the child may be placed with the prospective adoptive parents under a placement agreement. The Chambre des notaires du Quebec and the Barreau du Quebec both recommend independent legal advice before signing an adoption consent form, given the permanent and irreversible legal consequences once the revocation period closes.

The Directeur de la protection de la jeunesse (DPJ) plays a central role in public adoptions in Quebec under the Youth Protection Act (Loi sur la protection de la jeunesse, RLRQ c P-34.1). Where a child is under the legal responsibility of the DPJ — following a declaration of abandonment under CCQ art. 561 or a finding that the child's security is compromised — the DPJ may give adoption consent on behalf of the child. The DPJ also receives adoption consent forms from biological parents, oversees placement agreements, and supervises the child's welfare throughout the process. All adoptions must be approved by the Superior Court of Quebec, which reviews whether the adoption serves the best interest of the child under CCQ art. 543. The Court of Appeal of Quebec handles adoption appeals.

Quebec law requires that an adoption consent form be executed before a notary (notaire) from the Chambre des notaires du Quebec, or filed with the Director of Youth Protection (DPJ), under CCQ arts. 548–549. A bare private signature without notarial authentication is insufficient. The notary explains the legal consequences to the biological parent, confirms that consent is voluntary and informed, and authenticates the document. A lawyer (avocat) from the Barreau du Quebec may advise on the adoption process, particularly in contested or international adoption proceedings governed by the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. The Superior Court of Quebec retains jurisdiction over final adoption orders under the Civil Code of Quebec (CCQ). Professional notarial review is strongly advised before signing.

Once both biological parents have given consent under CCQ arts. 543–558 and the 30-day revocation period under art. 548 has expired without revocation, the Director of Youth Protection (DPJ) or authorized adoption agency may place the child with prospective adoptive parents. A placement agreement is established, typically for a minimum period before the final adoption application is filed. The prospective adoptive parents then apply to the Superior Court of Quebec for an adoption judgment. The Court of Quebec has jurisdiction over certain adoption matters depending on the circumstances. The adoption judgment, once issued, gives the child the same legal status as a biological child of the adoptive parents under CCQ art. 577, and the Registrar of Civil Status (Directeur de l'etat civil) updates the child's birth certificate accordingly.