Notices and updates - Authentication of documents

Launch of a tool to verify apostilles online

June 20, 2025

The Authentication Services Section launched a tool that allows the online verification of the validity of apostilles issued by Global Affairs Canada and the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

This new tool greatly facilitates the real-time verification of the validity of apostilles issued by Canadian competent authorities, thus enhancing their security, reducing the risk of fraud, and streamlining the acceptance of Canadian documents abroad.

To access the tool, visit Verify an apostille.

Mail delivery using Canada Post

May 26, 2025

The delivery or return of documents submitted to Global Affairs Canada’s Authentication Services Section through Canada Post (including Xpresspost) may be delayed because of the potential Canada Post service disruption. This potential disruption will not affect courier services, in-person drop-off, or the forwarding of documents to diplomatic missions located in the Ottawa area.

For updates on the service status at Canada Post, visit the Canada Post website.

If you have not yet submitted your documents to Global Affairs Canada

If you have not yet submitted your documents, and wish to minimize the risk of delivery delays, you can send them through a courier company or deliver them in person to Global Affairs Canada’s Distribution Centre at 2421 Lancaster Road, Ottawa, ON, K1B 4L5 (hours of operations: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, except statutory holidays).

If we already have your documents

If you have requested that your documents be sent to an embassy or high commission in the Ottawa region

If we already have your documents and you requested that we forward them through Canada Post to an embassy or high commission in the Ottawa region, we will use the department’s internal courier service. There is no fee associated with this service.

Note: If your request for authentication services included a request to have your documents forwarded to a consulate located outside the Ottawa region through Canada Post, we will send them through Canada Post unless you request otherwise using the process outlined below. 

If you asked to return or forward your documents using Canada Post and wish to change the delivery method

If you asked for your documents to be returned or forwarded using Canada Post but wish to change the return method, you can provide an alternative shipping method at any time, provided we still have your documents.

Note: If you asked for your documents to be returned or forwarded using Canada Post and do not provide an alternative shipping method, we will ship them through Canada Post using your initial instructions.

To provide the Authentication Services Section with an alternative shipping method, please follow these instructions: 

1. Email Global Affairs Canada’s Authentication Services Section at docs@international.gc.ca from the email address you indicated on the authentication service request form (EXT2165) following these instructions: 
   1. In the subject line of your email, write: 
      • Change of return method 
   2. In the body of your email, provide: 
      • the applicant’s name as it appears on the envelope and on the service request form (EXT2165) 
      • the date you mailed your document and, if available, the date it was delivered 
      • the tracking code (if you sent your documents by registered mail) 
   3. Attach to your email:
      • the courier prepaid shipping label (normally issued in PDF format)

New mailing address and drop-off location 

August 15, 2024 

Please note that the drop-off location and the mailing address to submit requests to the Authentication Services Section have changed effective immediately. The new address can be found under 4. Send your documents. Any request sent by mail or courier to the previous mailing address (125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa) will automatically be forwarded to the new location. 

The Apostille Convention took effect in Canada 

January 11, 2024 

Visit the Changes to authentications services in Canada for information on changes to authentication services in Canada. 

Simplified translation policy for proof of life documents drafted in a foreign language 

June 14, 2023 

The translation policy for proof of life documents (also known as life certificates) drafted in a foreign language has been simplified. Under the new policy, it is no longer necessary to translate proof of life certificates written in a foreign language provided that the text does not exceed half a page. For more details, please see the Exceptions section under Get your documents translated.