Letter of Authority — Quebec (Lettre d'autorisation)

A letter of authority is an informal document granting limited, specific authorization for a single transaction or narrow purpose — such as picking up a package, collecting a cheque, or making a medical decision on behalf of an incapacitated person in an emergency. A Power of Attorney (procuration) is a formal legal contract under CCQ arts. 2130-2185 that grants broader, ongoing authority and may require notarization for real estate or banking purposes. A letter of authority is generally not accepted for land registry transactions, large financial transactions, or matters requiring a notarized document.

A Quebec Letter of Authority does not legally require a lawyer, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute it independently. The Civil Code of Quebec (CCQ), Book Five: Obligations does not mandate legal representation for limited authorization letters. However, independent legal advice from a qualified Quebec lawyer is recommended where the authority involves medical decisions, real estate transactions, large financial accounts, or government filings with Registraire des entreprises du Quebec. Some institutions — financial institutions, Revenu Quebec, government agencies — may require the letter to be witnessed or notarized to accept it. The Superior Court of Quebec has jurisdiction over disputes. Professional review is advisable where the authorized person will act on behalf of a corporation or where the authority may be disputed by third parties.

A Quebec Letter of Authority (Lettre d'autorisation) is used for specific, limited tasks including: collecting government documents or mail on behalf of the grantor; authorizing a family member or representative to pick up a child from school or daycare; granting temporary access to a specific bank account for a defined transaction; allowing a representative to attend a minor official proceeding or government appointment; or authorizing a person to manage a specific property matter for a short period. The letter is not suitable for ongoing, broad authority — for which a formal Power of Attorney (procuration) under CCQ arts. 2130-2185 is required. Notarized power of attorney documents are required for land registry transactions at the Registre foncier du Quebec, major banking operations, and medical decisions requiring formalized consent under Quebec's Act Respecting Health Services and Social Services.

A Quebec Letter of Authority remains valid for the period specified on its face. Best practice under Quebec civil law is to include a specific expiry date or to limit the authority to a single named transaction, preventing unintended ongoing use. If no expiry date is stated, the letter may be treated as valid until formally revoked by the grantor. Revocation should be in writing and communicated directly to both the authorized person and any third party who received a copy of the original letter. Under CCQ art. 2175, a mandate (which includes authorizations) is revocable at any time by the mandator unless it is irrevocable. Quebec institutions such as financial institutions, Revenu Quebec, and the Registraire des entreprises du Quebec may impose their own time limits on authorization letters submitted to them. Forms-legal.com recommends setting a clear 30-90 day expiry on all such letters.

For most everyday purposes — picking up a parcel, collecting documents, or authorizing a specific bank transaction — a Quebec Letter of Authority does not need to be notarized. However, certain institutions and situations require notarization or witnessing under Quebec law: transactions before the Registre foncier du Quebec require a notarial deed under CCQ arts. 2938-2941; certain medical authorization decisions under Quebec's Act Respecting Health Services and Social Services may require formal consent documentation; and banking institutions may require a notarized mandate for account management above specified thresholds. The Civil Code of Quebec (CCQ) art. 2166 requires that a mandate to administer property be in writing. For high-stakes authorizations, using a formal notarized Power of Attorney (procuration notariee) rather than a simple letter of authority provides stronger legal protection and is more widely accepted by third parties including Revenu Quebec and the Autorite des marches financiers (AMF).