A law graduate from outside Québec may apply for diploma or training equivalency by submitting their file to the Admissions Committee.
Steps to obtain recognition of equivalency
Before submitting your application for equivalency, we invite you to sign up for and attend an information session.
This one-hour session is free of charge and is strongly recommended.
Contact us:
Chambre des notaires du Québec
Pre-Admission Training – Equivalency Sector
101-2045 Stanley Street
Montréal QC H3A 2V4
Tel.: 514-879-1793, ext. 5788 / 1-800-263-1793, ext. 5788
[email protected]
To complete the first step of the pathway to the profession, a law graduate from outside Québec may apply for diploma or training equivalency by submitting their file to the Admissions Committee.
As the content of training programs taken by legal practitioners trained outside Québec must be equivalent to the programs in Québec, and in view of the particularities of Québec law, the Committee requires candidates to take undergraduate upgrading courses in law totalling between 36 and 51 credits before their Master of Laws in Notarial Law. These credits must be completed within five years from the date of the Committee’s decision.
Each case is given individual consideration by the Admissions Committee.
The Committee will review the file and inform the candidate in writing of its decision within 90 days following receipt of the application.
Submit an official application by making an appointment or send it by mail.
Contact us:
Chambre des notaires du Québec
Pre-Admission Training – Equivalency Sector
101-2045 Stanley Street
Montréal QC H3A 2V4
Tel.: 514-879-1793, ext. 5788 / 1-800-263-1793, ext. 5788
[email protected]
Instructions for preparing an application
You must complete both of the following forms, print them on legal-size paper (216 mm × 356 mm / 8½ in × 14 in) and send them to us with the required documents:
- Application for recognition of a diploma or training to exercise the notarial profession in Québec [in French]
- Payment form [in French]
Documents must always be filled out completely and accurately. Omissions or inaccuracies will delay file processing.
Required documents
You must enclose the originals of the following documents with your application:
- a recent photograph (10 cm × 15 cm / 4 in × 6 in or larger);
- proof of birth;
- university records, including number of hours and descriptions of courses taken, the number of credits obtained and an official transcript of grades;
- an official copy of all law degrees held;
- an official certificate from the educational institution or organization in authority confirming your participation in any internships and their successful completion;
- a certificate and description of your work experience;
- an official certificate and description of any other continuing education or professional development activities;
- a comparative assessment of studies completed outside Québec, issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration, for any degrees obtained outside Canada. This comparative assessment is optional.
- any other document or information deemed relevant.
Document translation
Pursuant to section 7 paragraph 2 of the Règlement sur les normes d’équivalence de diplôme et de la formation aux fins de la délivrance d’un permis de la Chambre des notaires du Québec, documents provided in support of an application for recognition of a diploma or training to exercise the notarial profession in Québec that are written in a language other than French or English must be accompanied by a French translation, certified under oath by a certified translator or, if located outside Québec, recognized by the authorities of their province or country.
Review of a decision regarding recognition of equivalency
Pursuant to section 11 of the Règlement sur les normes d’équivalence de diplôme et de la formation aux fins de la délivrance d’un permis de la Chambre des notaires du Québec, candidates may apply for a review of the decision rendered by the Admissions Committee. The decision will be reviewed by the Notarial Profession Governance Committee.
Candidates must apply within 30 days following receipt of the Admissions Committee’s decision and pay the required fees [in French].
The Notarial Profession Governance Committee has 60 days from the date of receipt of the application for review to render a decision. It informs the candidate of the date of the meeting when their application will be considered at least 15 days beforehand. Candidates who wish to be present to submit their observations must inform the Order at least 5 days before the scheduled meeting date. The candidate may, however, send the Committee their written observations at any time before the date scheduled for this meeting.
The Notarial Profession Governance Committee must inform the candidate in writing of its decision within 30 days after it is rendered. The decision of this committee is final.
Individuals who are dissatisfied with a decision of the Admissions Committee or who experience difficulties or problems with obtaining a permit or becoming a member of the Order may file a complaint with the Commissaire à l’admission aux professions.
The committee has rendered its decision and you must now take undergraduate refresher law courses totalling between 36 and 51 credits. These credits must be completed within five years from the date of the Committee’s decision.
The required credit courses are offered by the following universities.
Université du Québec à Montréal
When you have completed the credits required pursuant to the decision of the Admissions Committee, you must send the Order the original official transcript issued by your university.
Your file will then be resubmitted to the Admissions Committee for recognition of educational equivalence for the undergraduate law degree. Note that analysis fees [in French] will apply.
After completing this first step, you may then enter the pathway to the profession at Step 2—the Master of Laws in Notarial Law.
Review of a decision regarding recognition of equivalency
Individuals who are dissatisfied with a decision of the Admissions Committee or who experience difficulties or problems with obtaining a permit or becoming a member of the Order may file a complaint with the Commissaire à l’admission aux professions.
This page contains information about two organizations mandated by the Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale for the measure on loans for the recognition of foreign credentials.
This measure is aimed at supporting individuals who received their training outside Québec as they apply for recognition of their credentials. These organizations support candidates who are eligible for financing during this process.