Authentication of documents: Check the status of your request to authenticate documents

Authenticating a document is free. It proves that the signature, the position of an official and the seal on a certified document are genuine. Other jurisdictions or countries will recognize your authenticated document as a valid copy.

Authentication is also called legalization or apostille.

The purpose of this form is to request a follow-up on a previous authentication request. If you need to submit a new authentication request, please follow the instructions specific to your document type:

Complete list of documents that can be authenticated

Please note that documents sent by regular mail or from overseas may take significantly longer to receive.

If you are in Canada and have not received your documents after 25 business days ago (which is approximately 5 weeks) after submitting them, you may proceed to fill out the form below to request an update on the status of your documents. If you submitted your document from abroad, the wait time to request a status update is 30 business days (which is approximately 6 weeks).

In order for us to better assist you in locating your documents, please respond to the five questions below.

Email address (required) :

1. Please provide your full name, your telephone number, and your complete address. Please ensure that this information is the same as on the request form you previously sent to our Department. (required) :

2. Please provide the date you sent your documents and, if sent by courier or registered mail, the date we received them. Please indicate if your documents were sent by regular mail, registered mail or by courier (i.e. FedEx, Xpress Post or Purolator), and provide any tracking information if available. (required) :

3. Did you complete and include the mandatory request form? Please provide the full name of the person specified on the form. (required) :

4. Were the documents to be returned to you, or forwarded to another location (i.e. Embassy, High Commission, Consulate, foreign address or someone else)? If so, have you contacted them to see if they received your documents? (required) :

5. Did you include a prepaid courier envelope for us to mail out your documents? If so, what is the tracking number? (required) :

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Date Modified:: 2023-03-07

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Authentication of documents: Check the status of your request to authenticate documents