Notary fees in Québec in 2025: what to expect

Buying, selling, or refinancing a property is often an exciting milestone — but also a process full of paperwork, verifications, and, of course… fees.

Among these, notary fees play a central role. In Québec, the notary has a legally required function: preparing and executing the deed of sale, ensuring the validity of the title transfer, and registering the transaction in the Québec Land Registry.

Here’s a complete and up-to-date overview of notary fees in Québec in 2025 — and what they really cover.

Why You Need a Notary

In Québec, a real estate sale must be executed by a notarial deed in minute form in order to be published in the Québec Land Registry (Registre foncier du Québec).

This publication is required for the transfer of ownership to be legally enforceable against third parties (articles 2938 et seq. of the Civil Code of Québec).

In other words, without a notarial act, the transaction isn’t legally complete in the eyes of the land registry — even if the parties have agreed on the sale.

Notary Fees 101: Professional Fees and Disbursements

The expression “notary fees” actually refers to two main components:

1. Professional Fees

These are the amounts you pay for the notary’s professional and legal work, such as:

• Drafting and executing the deed of sale or mortgage deed

• Examining titles and servitudes

• Communicating with the parties (buyer, seller, brokers, financial institutions)

• Managing and distributing funds at closing

• Registering the deeds in the Land Registry

Typical range in 2025 (for a standard residential transaction):
$1,500 to $3,000 + taxes

This range varies depending on the complexity of the file, the property’s location and value, and the notary’s practice volume.

2. Disbursements

These are expenses the notary advances on your behalf and then bills at cost, such as:

• Land Registry registration fees

• Official copies, taxes, and mailing costs

• Tax and mortgage searches

• Certificate of location (if a new one is required)

• Municipal compliance checks, when applicable

Typical range: $400 to $800, though costs may increase if a new certificate of location is required (often an additional $900 to $1,200 paid directly to the land surveyor).

Example: Buying a Home in Montréal

These amounts are for illustration only. Each notary sets their own fees freely, in accordance with their code of ethics, based on time spent and file complexity.

Who Pays What — Buyer or Seller?

In most real estate transactions:

• The buyer chooses the notary and pays for the deed of sale and its registration in the Land Registry.

• The seller typically pays for an up-to-date certificate of location if they don’t already have one that meets legal standards.

• If the seller still has a mortgage to discharge, they are responsible for the deed of discharge (radiation) and any related costs.

In case of doubt, the distribution of costs can always be negotiated in the promise to purchase.

What About a Refinancing?

When refinancing, a new notarial mortgage deed must also be signed and registered.

Typical professional fees: $900 to $1,500, depending on the lender and the number of loans involved.
Disbursements are usually lower (single registration, fewer verifications).

What Can Affect the Total Cost?

• Legal complexity (e.g. servitudes, divided co-ownership, agricultural land, unsettled succession)

• Missing documents or delays in financing

• Property located in a large urban centre or an urgent file

• Multiple deeds or signatories (e.g. separation, joint ownership, power of attorney, etc.)

Making the Process Simple and Transparent

Platforms such as Notairo help modernize the notarial experience by offering:

• Clear online quotes in just a few clicks

• Personalized document lists provided from the start

• No last-minute surprises — everything is detailed before the appointment

• Fast access to a Québec-licensed notary and support team

Summary Table

These figures are provided for information purposes only. Notary fees in Québec are not regulated by a fixed tariff; they must simply be fair, reasonable, and proportionate to the service provided (Code of ethics of notaries, art. 31).

In Conclusion

Notary fees in Québec reflect both a specialized legal service and unavoidable legal obligations.
Comparing quotes, requesting a detailed breakdown, and understanding exactly what’s included in the price remain the best ways to avoid surprises.