Authentication of documents: 4. Send your document

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Closure: Due to the evolving situation regarding COVID-19, authentication services will be closed to the public until further notice. Our mail-in service will continue. Usual mail-in service standards may not apply. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.

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Fees

We do not charge a fee to authenticate documents at our offices in Ottawa.

Authentication in person

The fastest way to get your documents authenticated is in person in our office in Ottawa.

You can submit them yourself, or have someone else do it for you, such as a friend or relative.

In Canada

Make sure you have followed all previous steps before bringing in your documents.

Bring all the required documents to:

Authentication office
111 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
1st floor (Follow signs for JLAC- Authentication Services Section)

Underground public parking is available for a fee.

Hours of operation

Open:

  • Monday to Thursday
  • 10 am to 12 pm and 2 to 3 pm ET

Closed:

  • Fridays
  • Weekends
  • Civic and statutory holidays

No appointment necessary. Clients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Find out how long it will take us to process your documents.

In-person authentication form

The requester (person submitting the request) must:

  • complete the form
  • print the form
  • sign the form
  • date the form

The requester does not need to be the person whose name appears on the document to be authenticated.

In person authentication form

 

If you have trouble opening the form, try saving it to your desktop first. If you are still having trouble, try these PDF form instructions.

Unable to print it? Copies of the form are available in our waiting room.

If you are 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.

Authentication by mail or courier

Make sure you have followed all previous steps before sending in your documents to our office in Ottawa.

Mail

When sending your documents by mail, please make sure to enclose:

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

Forwarding your authenticated document

Upon request, we can forward your authenticated documents to an embassy, high commission or consulate in Ottawa. Here are the instructions:

  • Due to the COVID-19 situation, we may not be able to forward your documents. Many Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates located in Ottawa are temporarily closed. They cannot receive mail.
  • 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 requester (the person submitting the request) must:

  • complete the form
  • print the form
  • sign the form
  • date the form

The requester does not need to be the person whose name appears on the document to be authenticated.

Mail or courier authentication form

 

If you have 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

Where to find us

By mail:

Global Affairs Canada
Authentication Services Section (JLAC)
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Canada

In person:

Authentication office
111 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
1st floor (Follow the signs for JLAC- Authentication Services Section)

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