City Clerk Duties & Certified Documents - Lévis

General Governance and Administration Quebec 4 Minutes Read · published May 26, 2026 Flag of Quebec

The city clerk's office in Lévis, Quebec manages official municipal records, certifies documents, processes access-to-information and maintains council minutes. Residents and businesses commonly use the clerk (greffe) for certified true copies of bylaws, minutes, permits and other records needed for legal, real estate, and administrative purposes. This guide explains the clerk's core duties, how to request certified documents, enforcement touchpoints for bylaw matters, typical timelines, and practical steps to apply, appeal or report missing records.

What the City Clerk (Greffe) does

The city clerk acts as the guardian of municipal records, supports council procedures, issues certified copies, receives petitions, and manages public access to documents. The clerk also authenticates signatures and certifies extracts of minutes and bylaws for legal use. For specific service procedures and opening hours see the City of Lévis Greffe page City of Lévis - Greffe[1].

Contact the greffe early if you need a notarized or certified copy for a real-estate closing.
  • Maintain and provide access to council minutes, bylaws, and municipal registers.
  • Issue certified true copies (copies conformes) and attestations for official use.
  • Receive petitions, administrative requests and formal communications addressed to council.
  • Receive and process access-to-information requests where applicable.

Penalties & Enforcement

Bylaw enforcement and penalties for contraventions are handled by Lévis enforcement services or the service designated to inspection and public safety; statutory authority for municipal regulation enforcement is provided by Quebec municipal law Loi sur les cités et villes[2]. Specific fine amounts and scales for bylaw offences are not specified on the cited municipal greffe page and must be confirmed on the municipal enforcement pages or the consolidated text of the applicable bylaw.

Fine amounts are set in each bylaw and may vary by offence; check the bylaw text before assuming penalties.
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; consult the specific bylaw or enforcement notices for exact figures.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offences are addressed in each bylaw; ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to comply, work orders, seizure or removal of unauthorized structures, or court proceedings may apply depending on the bylaw.
  • Enforcer: bylaw inspection/enforcement officers or the municipal inspector designated by Lévis; complaints can be submitted via the city's enforcement contact page.
  • Appeals/review: appeal routes depend on the instrument that issued the order (administrative review or judicial appeal); time limits are set in the applicable bylaw or statute and are not specified on the cited greffe page.
  • Defences/discretion: officers commonly consider permits, variances or documented reasonable excuse; availability of defences depends on the bylaw text.

Applications & Forms

For certified copies and attestations the greffe publishes service descriptions and submission methods; specific form names, fees and processing times are listed on the greffe page when available, otherwise they are not specified on the cited page. Typical submission methods include in person, by mail, or via an online request form where provided.

If a fee is required it is listed with the service description on the greffe's official page.

How to request a certified document

Follow these steps to get a certified true copy or attestation from Lévis city clerk services.

  1. Identify the document you need (bylaw number, council minutes date, permit file number).
  2. Contact the greffe to confirm availability, required identification, fees and submission method via the official greffe page City of Lévis - Greffe[1].
  3. Submit the request in person, by mail, or online as instructed; provide proof of identity where required.
  4. Pay any published fees; if fees are not listed on the service page they are "not specified on the cited page" and must be confirmed with the greffe.
  5. Receive the certified document by the method chosen; ask for processing time estimates if not listed.
Always request certified copies well before legal or real-estate deadlines to allow municipal processing time.

FAQ

How do I obtain a certified true copy of a bylaw?
Contact the City of Lévis greffe with the bylaw number or council date; the greffe will confirm the process and any fee. See the greffe page City of Lévis - Greffe[1].
How long does certification take?
Processing times vary by request and are listed with the service when provided; if not listed on the greffe page they are not specified on the cited page.
Can I request a certified copy online?
Some services may offer online requests; check the greffe service page for online forms or instructions.

How-To

How to obtain a certified document from the City Clerk in Lévis.

  1. Confirm the exact document reference (bylaw number, minutes date, permit file).
  2. Visit the greffe service page and follow submission instructions City of Lévis - Greffe[1].
  3. Provide ID, pay any published fee, and indicate delivery preference.
  4. Accept the certified copy in person or receive it by the chosen delivery method.

Key Takeaways

  • The greffe is the official source for certified municipal documents.
  • Fees and fines are set in bylaws or service pages and may be "not specified on the cited page" if not published online.

Help and Support / Resources


  1. [1] City of Lévis - Greffe
  2. [2] LégisQuébec - Loi sur les cités et villes (C-19)