It is often the last-minute surprise that makes people wince: the notary asks for an up-to-date certificate of location, and yours has been sitting in a drawer for fifteen years. Without this compliant document, the sale cannot be signed. You are therefore best to take care of it early. The certificate of location is a legal document prepared by a land surveyor, and it directly concerns the seller. Here are the essentials.
What it is for
Made up of a report and a plan, it provides a snapshot of your property’s status in relation to the titles, the cadastre, and applicable regulations. It shows the exact boundaries of the lot, the location of buildings, easements, any encroachments, and any non-compliances—for example, a shed too close to the property line or a pool in the wrong location. For the buyer, it is protection; for you, it is proof that you are selling what you are advertising. In Quebec, the Civil Code also requires the seller to provide the certificate they have in their possession.
The ten-year rule, and its cost
A certificate does not have a fixed expiry date, but two situations require having a new one prepared. First, any change to the property since it was issued: adding a pool, a garage, a fence, an extension. Second, its age: beyond roughly ten years, the notary will generally require a new one, due to the ten-year prescription period set out in the Civil Code. Budget-wise, the suggested fee published by the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec for 2026 is around $1,630 for a single-family home. And you will need patience: allow four to eight weeks, longer in spring and summer.
Questions
Who pays for the certificate of location?
The seller, as a general rule, since the law requires them to provide an up-to-date document. Exception: if the buyer requests a new certificate even though the current one is compliant and nothing has changed, the costs may fall to them.
My certificate is more than 10 years old—do I need to have a new one prepared?
Very likely. The notary will require a new one due to the ten-year prescription period, even if nothing has changed on the property.
How long does it take to get one?
On average, four to eight weeks. Submit the request as soon as you decide to sell, because the notary must have a copy before the signing.
How much does it cost?
About $1,630 for a single-family home in 2026, based on the suggested fee from the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec, which varies depending on complexity.
