All Public Records in Québec City

Public Records in Québec City

Québec City, as the provincial capital, is a unique repository of information. It houses not only the municipal records of the city but also the central archives of the Government of Quebec. For researchers, lawyers, and citizens, the city is a hub of administrative and historical data. Accessing Public Records here involves distinguishing between the municipal administration and the various provincial ministries headquartered in the region. This page guides you through the landscape of public information in Québec City, from the National Assembly to the local assessment roll.

Municipal Archives and Greffe

The Ville de Québec maintains a sophisticated records management system.
The City Clerk (Greffier): The Greffe is responsible for the "guardianship" of municipal documents. This includes all bylaws (règlements), council minutes, and official public notices.
Archives Division: The municipal archives preserve documents dating back to the city’s founding. These records are crucial for understanding the heritage status of buildings in Old Québec (Vieux-Québec), a UNESCO World Heritage site where renovation rules are strictly based on historical records.

Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ)

While BAnQ has a presence in Montreal, its role in Québec City is pivotal as the keeper of government records.
Vieux-Montréal vs. Québec: The Québec City centre of BAnQ (located on the campus of Université Laval) holds the civil and judicial archives of the region, as well as the archives of many government ministries. This is the primary stop for genealogy and historical legal research in the Capitale-Nationale region.

Property Assessment (Rôle d’évaluation)

Real estate transparency is high in Québec City.
Evaluation Roll: The city offers an online "Info-taxe" system where the public can view the assessment roll. This details the value of land and buildings for every address in the city.
Zoning Maps: Interactive maps allow residents to see specific zoning bylaws for their neighbourhood, which is essential for business owners and developers planning projects in this historic city.

The Courthouse (Palais de justice de Québec)

Located on Boulevard René-Lévesque East, the courthouse is the center of legal records for the district.
Judicial Records: The "Greffe" of the courthouse holds the files for the Superior Court and the Court of Quebec. Access to the "plumitif" (docket) allows one to see the litigation history of individuals and corporations.
Court of Appeal: As the seat of the province’s highest court, records of appellate decisions are also archived here.

Vital Statistics (État civil)

The headquarters of the Directeur de l’état civil (DEC) is located in Québec City.
Function: This agency acts as the Registrar General for the province. All events of birth, marriage, civil union, and death are reported here. Citizens visit the DEC to request official certificates or to apply for a change of name. Unlike other jurisdictions where this might be a municipal function, here it is strictly provincial.

Police Records (SPVQ)

The Service de police de la Ville de Québec (SPVQ) manages law enforcement data.
Access: Citizens can request copies of event reports for incidents they were involved in.
Background Checks: The SPVQ conducts judicial record checks for employment purposes, checking local and national databases for criminal convictions.

National Assembly Records

For those interested in legislative history, the Library of the National Assembly offers access to the "Journal des débats" (Hansard), bills, and committee transcripts. These public records are essential for lawyers interpreting the intent of provincial laws. While technically provincial records, their physical location in the city makes them a key part of the local information landscape. ⚜️