Authenticate your documents - Before you start (Step 1)

On this page

Getting a document authenticated or obtaining an apostille is sometimes required before you can use a Canadian document abroad. Authentication or apostille speaks to the genuineness of the signature of a public official found on a document. After being authenticated, if your documents is for use in a country that is not a party to the Apostille Convention, you may need to get it legalized by the authorities of the country of destination (for example, by their embassy, high commission or consulate in or accredited to Canada). If you obtain an apostille and your document is destined to a country that is a member of the Apostille Convention, it should be accepted at the country of destination without additional steps.

Canada now is a party to the Apostille Convention, which simplifies the authentication process by removing the requirement for legalization for documents intended for use in other countries that are party to the convention. Documents authenticated by a Canadian competent authority will be issued an apostille certificate in the form of an “allonge,” which is a separate document that will be securely affixed to the underlying authenticated document.

To find out if your document requires authentication, see the section below. To explore alternatives to authentication by the Authentication Service Section, please visit  Alternatives to authentication.

To be authenticated, your document must bear an original, recognized signature (and seal, if applicable). Unless otherwise indicated, you must submit your documents in paper format by following the instructions outlined in steps 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Check whether your documents need to be authenticated

Please note that not all countries require the authentication or legalization of Canadian documents before they can be used in their territory. The same applies to the requirement to submit a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment for marriage if you intend to get married abroad. Therefore, as first step, confirm the requirements by contacting the authority requesting your document or the embassy, high commission, or consulate of the country where your document will be used:

If you receive confirmation that your document must be authenticated, we would suggest you to consult Alternatives to authentication by the Authentication Services Section at Global Affairs Canada.

Where to send your documents

Where you send your documents will depend on where it was issued or notarized. Competent authorities in some provinces issue apostilles, and Global Affairs Canada issues apostilles for documents issued by the Government of Canada and for documents issued or notarized in specific provinces and territories.

Documents to be sent to Global Affairs Canada

You will send to Global Affairs Canada documents:

  • issued by the Government of Canada
  • issued or notarized in the following provinces and territories:
    • Manitoba
    • New Brunswick
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Northwest Territories
    • Nova Scotia
    • Nunavut
    • Prince Edward Island
    • Yukon

If your document was notarized in a province or territory listed above, you will send it to Global Affairs Canada no matter where it was originally issued.

Some documents need to be notarized before a competent authority can authenticate them. This may include some documents issued by the Government of Canada. The province or territory where your document was notarized will determine the competent authority to which you must send it.

Check the existing requirements before submitting documents.

Documents to send to a provincial competent authority

Competent authorities in the following provinces are responsible for issuing apostilles for documents issued or notarized in their respective provinces:

You will send documents issued in the provinces listed above to that province’s competent authority.

If your document was notarized in Alberta, Ontario, or Saskatchewan, you will send it to that province’s competent authority regardless of where your document was issued. In British Columbia and Quebec, the competent authority can authenticate a notarized document only if the original document was issued in the province.

Global Affairs Canada will return documents issued or notarized in these provinces to applicants without being authenticated.

Provincial and territorial services operate independently of the Government of Canada and may have different processing times and service fees.

Get your document translated

If all or part of your document is written in a language other than English or French, you must send a certified translation (see the exception below). You have 2 options:

Translation by a certified translator

A certified translation is certified by a member of a recognized provincial translation association. A list of recognized provincial translation associations can be found at the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council).

Some countries may require a separate translator’s affidavit. To be eligible for authentication, the  affidavit would need to be signed and sealed by a Canadian notary.

or

Attestation of a translation by Canadian notary public, who speaks English or French and the language in which the document was written. If this is the case, ensure that the notary public adds to their declaration the following statement:

  • They attest to speaking both languages
  • They certify the accuracy of the translation

Exception: We do not need translations for:

  • Canadian university diplomas issued in Greek or Latin.
  • Proof of life documents (also known as life certificates) drafted in a foreign language related to a foreign pension benefit. The text must not exceed half a page and on the application form you must indicate that it is a proof of life document. If the text is longer than half a page, it must be translated according to the instructions above.

Reasons we cannot authenticate your document

If we cannot authenticate your document, we will inform you in writing.

We cannot authenticate the following documents:

  • documents without an original signature or seal (for example, plain photocopies)
  • documents with unknown seals or with signatures we are unable to verify
  • religious documents (for example, baptismal certificates, religious marriage certificates, or other documents issued by a religious institution)
  • documents are of foreign origin (we can only authenticate Canadian documents)
  • documents issued by unrecognized educational institutions
  • glued documents
  • laminated documents
  • documents covered with any substance that would make it difficult to place a stamp on them

We can decline authentication and refer your case to the appropriate authority if

  • the content of your document is believed to be misleading
  • the document or the authentication process may be used for fraudulent, illegal or misleading purposes
  • we have doubts about the veracity of the document, or the notarial act, or if we deem it to infringe upon our policies

Processing times

Processing time information can be found on the main page.

Fees

We do not charge a fee for our service.

Contact details

Before contacting our office, please read steps 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the Frequently asked questions section and, if applicable, the Statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad page.

Status updates: Please note that the Authentication Services Section can provide a status update regarding a request only after certain wait time has lapsed. If you have asked us to forward your documents to an embassy, high commission or consulate, check the status of your documents with them first. For information on the minimum wait time to request a status update and to access the status update form, please visit Check the status of your request to authenticate documents.

Access our contact details

Related services and information

Date modified: