Authentication of documents: 4. Send your document
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
In-person authentication services are unavailable until further notice due to the situation regarding COVID-19. Our mail-in service continues.
For up-to-date information on processing time, see Processing times.
On this page
Authentication in person
In-person authentication services are unavailable until further notice.
Authentication by mail or courier
In Canada
Make sure you have followed all previous steps before sending in your documents to our office in Ottawa.
When sending your documents by mail, please make sure to enclose:
- the authentication request form
- To minimize the risk of errors, we strongly recommend you to fill in the form using a computer.
- Visit the following section if you are having trouble opening the form.
- all documents required for authentication
- a self-addressed stamped envelope or a prepaid courier shipping label
Courier waybills with account numbers are not accepted. They will be returned by regular mail without being authenticated. We accept prepaid shipping labels only.
Send your documents to:
Global Affairs Canada
Authentication Services Section (JLAC)
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Canada
Outside of Canada
Foreign authorities may not accept documents that have not been legalized by their embassy or consulate in Canada.
Check with the nearest Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate to see whether they can authenticate your documents. If they cannot do so, you can mail the documents to our office in Ottawa.
Authentication services provided at Canadian missions abroad are subject to fees under the Consular Fees (Specialized Services) Regulations
Forwarding your authenticated document
Upon request, we can forward your authenticated documents to an embassy, high commission or consulate in Ottawa.
Note that due to the COVID-19 situation, some of those offices are temporarily closed, working at a reduced capacity or cannot receive mail. Therefore, before requesting us to forward your authenticated documents, we would recommend checking with them first to confirm that they are able to receive them.
If the office to which we were asked to forward the document is closed, unless otherwise specified we will hold on to your documents until they resume operations.
Here are the instructions:
- Select “Forward to an embassy/consulate” in “Shipping details” (Section 2) in the mail-in form.
- Provide the full mailing address
- Include a separate, sealed envelope that contains:
- payment (if required by the embassy, high commission or consulate)
- photos
- accompanying documents that you do not want us to authenticate
Warning:
- Global Affairs Canada is not responsible for the loss of items sent to an embassy, high commission or consulate.
- This service is only available if you mail in your documents.
- Check with the embassy, high commission or consulate about their requirements to return the documents to you.
- Do not send cash payments to be forwarded on to the embassy, high commission or consulate.
- Failure to follow these instructions will result in your documents being returned to you without being authenticated.
Mail or courier authentication form
The person submitting the request must:
- complete the form
- print the form
- sign the form
- date the form
The person submitting the request does not need to be the person whose name appears on the document to be authenticated.
Trouble opening the form?
Try saving it to your desktop first. If you are still having trouble, try these PDF form instructions.
Related services and information
- Getting married outside Canada
- Statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad
- Check the status of your request
- Reasons we cannot authenticate your document
- If you are outside Canada
- Frequently asked questions
Contact us
By mail:
Global Affairs Canada
Authentication Services Section (JLAC)
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Canada
