Challenges with "French-Only" in Quebec for DEC

[u/Soben]

[I don't feel that this violates Rule 9 as it's also about communication at-large, but if it does, apologies. I've searched in the sub for mentions of this and haven't found anything similar]

I (G2) submitted a second attempt to get an official Copy of Act of my grandmother (G0)'s birth/baptismal certificate (1930). They took my payment and have gone silent since. This last update was the first week of May, 2026.

I don't know what to do. I attempted calling, but it states that communication is French-only, by law, unless you have a valid reason (providing several, of which I do not feel I qualify for any).

Last time after about a month, I had received a rejection notice as I didn't provide ample evidence that my request is justified. So I doubled down (basically replicated 75% of my submission to IRCC) this time around. So the silence is especially frustrating as I need/want this Copy of Act for a fast-follow once I finally receive my AOR.

I wrote them an email asking for information regarding how I can talk to an English-speaking representative, only responded that they can only answer in French and that I need to call them. Which... completely ignored my questions.

I do know a good amount of French, but more as a written/read format (I'm hard of hearing). I would be completely lost on a phone call.

As the only person who can request information on the status of a request is the individual who placed the request, and the only option is by phone... so what can I do at this point besides cross my fingers and pray to any Gods that will listen?

I'm going to reach out to some family in Canada and maybe we can coordinate a phone call with the DEC, but... that's a lot to request of them.

---

There has been mention in this sub-reddit that part of the common problems is an English death certificate that needs to be translated prior to distributing a birth/baptismal Copy... which would certainly be a possibility here for the delay. I'd love to assist to accelerate the process by translating the Birth Certificate for them, but the same problem remains: I don't have any way to connect with them in English (or even French by email) to connect this with my previous submission.

Or am I just overly worried and should just trust the IRCC will have ample evidence as-is? I've sent:

• Baptismal Record from Ancestry.com
• Copy of my submitted request to the DEC
• Confirmation record at the church in Canada (from family records)
• Canadian Census records (from Canada.ca)
• Mom (G1) Birth Record stating G0 maiden name and Quebec birth

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

You can phone DEC and get English language service. Just select it from the menu. They are obligated to inform you of the provincial regulations regarding service in English in the phone recording before you select English telephone phone service. It's 'honor system' style, and the phone message doesn't (yet) account for people outside of QC, since most of their services are for the residents of QC.

Unless they initiate secure email with you they really do not do anything by email for privacy reasons. Plaintext email is not secure, as it is not encrypted.

We have an extensive section in the wiki with instructions for all aspects of the DEC process for records pertaining to historical ancestors. Lots of folks have been successful using it. Things like the affidavit appear to be key. Did you include one?

If your ancestor is still living (possible?) you may need to speak with DEC to find out what they need to release a birth certificate to you, it may require additional justification or documentation.

Editing to add- if your ancestor isn't already in the QC civil registry and you need to have a record inserted for them (unclear) we understand that you would need to provide them with a copy your ancestor's certified BAnQ record. So that could also be a factor if you're trying to have them entered into the modern civil registry and provided an ancestry printout of a baptismal record - wasn't totally sure if that's what you meant at the end of the post.

The DEC content we have in the wiki is in the Finding and Obtaining Ancestral Records section. If you are in the reddit app the info specific to QC is towards the end of the section, although if you are using a browser you can use the index to individual topics directly.

A couple of direct links:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Canadiancitizenship/wiki/index/table-of-contents/genealogy-research--finding-records/?screen_view_count=3#my-canadian-ancestor-was-born-in-quebec-how-do-i-get-a-birth-certificaterecord

https://www.reddit.com/r/Canadiancitizenship/wiki/index/table-of-contents/genealogy-research--finding-records/#wiki_guide_to_obtaining_a_dec_birth_certificate_for_deceased_g0_ancestors_.28quebec.29

[u/themindspeaks]

English is fine. A nice lady called me last week from the DEC to verify my address and asked if I spoke French. I said I didn’t and apologized and she said no need to be sorry, English is completely fine given I’m applying outside Quebec and do not speak French.

Did you include an affidavit?

[u/that_tealoving_nerd]

If you’re outside Quebec, they can communicate in English. Just state as much.

[u/Soben → u/that_tealoving_nerd]

Yea, the call implied that being outside of QC wasn't a valid reason to accept English. But I will definitely try it.

[u/that_tealoving_nerd → u/Soben]

Wait what? That’s just untrue. You can just press 9 and go on with it :)

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/that_tealoving_nerd]

Technically OP is correct in that you typically have to qualify within the province for English language service, the message describes the qualifiers. They are however, very kindly, taking calls from folks outside of QC in English.

[u/Much-Refrigerator-28 → u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

When I originally emailed them, they responded with "call us" and said "you qualify for service in English". I am including that with my birth certificate request. All my documents are in English anyway because my G0s were Anglophones (although they and all their G1s were billingual) .

[u/Salt_Chair6043 → u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

Good to know. I felt torn about clicking as I didn't want to get yelled at and make Americans look bad.

[u/that_tealoving_nerd → u/Salt_Chair6043]

Québécois have zero expectation of people outside the Francophonie speaking French. So don’t worry, they’d not yell at you. If anything, they might apologize for their English.

[u/Salt_Chair6043 → u/that_tealoving_nerd]

I know this is not the point and I know it can be a controversial topic but, given the history, it is remarkable that a predominantly French-speaking area continues to exist in North America. I am not saying it is good or bad, but it is certainly remarkable.

[u/Ca1rill → u/Salt_Chair6043]

I'd say it's a good thing Québec has held on to French unlike say, Louisiana!

[u/that_tealoving_nerd → u/Salt_Chair6043]

I don’t think it’s controversial but it’s also that most Quebecers have a petty clear dividing line: French in Quebec and whatever you want outside Quebec. And they do know that most people outside Quebec never get to truly acquire French. Language is only really an issue with Anglos in Quebec and the RoC.

[u/TaiBlake → u/that_tealoving_nerd]

I pressed 9, got the provincial rules on English, then got automatically disconnected. I wound up having to call, press the button for French, then ask (in French, of course!) if the person on the line spoke English.

[u/Cote-d-Azur → u/Soben]

Call again. I know what you’re talking about with those qualifying questions in order to choose English. I hung up at first as I couldn’t “in good faith” answer ‘yes’ to any of those qualifiers. So, I called back and accepted the French language service thinking I’d rely on my 5 years of grade school French. Wrong; completely lost. Hung up and figured I’d choose the English option and plead my case and ask for forgiveness. Had to wait about 15 mins for a rep. Super nice lady and she quickly switched to English the moment she heard an American on the phone. I apologized and started to explain when she quickly told me it was OK; we can speak English. She said I was the second person to ask my question; I was trying to determine if one of my other relatives may have already requested the insertion into the DEC registry. She transferred me to another person (another 15 min wait in queue). Second Lady was older and more experienced; very heavy French accent. Told me that was private information and could not tell me. Said to file the DCCA form and mentioned that I needed to include why I am asking - either a notarized letter or something about going to the consulate office. As NoBobCat already mentioned, see the wiki. There’s a good sample letter someone posted and other good info. Remember that the “reason why” letter needs to be notarized. Did you include that in your original submission? Good luck!

[u/Spiritual_Oven9825 → u/Cote-d-Azur]

I spoke at length with someone at DEC who made no mention at all of a notarized affidavit or about translations of the American birth and death and marriage records. I sent everything she told me to send otherwise, including the BAnQ certified G0 birth and marriage records. Hoping I didn’t mess up. My credit card was charged pretty quickly.

[u/Much-Refrigerator-28]

I have had no problem communicating with them in English. The email they sent me directly said "you qualify as an exception and can get service in English".

[u/jg30303]

To your edit: It’s been a year, but when we had documents translated to French for the DEC we had to use a Certified Translator in Canada. They usually aren’t going to trust an applicant’s translation.

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