Canada
Apostille in Canada
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in Canada, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Joined later (accession), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | Global Affairs Canada, Authentication Services Section, documents issued by the Government of Canada, and documents issued or notarised in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island and Yukon2 Competent authority of Alberta, documents issued in Alberta and documents notarised in Alberta2 Competent authority of British Columbia, documents issued in British Columbia, and notarised documents only if the original was issued in the province2 Competent authority of Ontario, documents issued in Ontario and documents notarised in Ontario2 Competent authority of Quebec, documents issued in Quebec, and notarised documents only if the original was issued in the province2 Competent authority of Saskatchewan, documents issued in Saskatchewan and documents notarised in Saskatchewan2 |
| Fee | No fee, according to the office (authentication and apostille service of Global Affairs Canada)2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Processing time | Not published by the office2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Documents covered | 3 kinds of document listed by the office |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in Canada
Work out which competent authority covers your document: Global Affairs Canada, or the province of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan.2
Prepare a paper document with an original, recognised signature, and notarise it first if the document type needs it.2
If any content is in a language other than English or French, add a certified translation.2
Submit your request online to Global Affairs Canada.2
Send the documents by mail or courier, or drop them off at the distribution centre in Ottawa, with the service request number, a copy of the summary page and a prepaid return envelope or label.2
Check the status of the request online; the office can only give status updates for requests it received itself.2
Documents
Common documents
As listed by the office:
Contacts
Who to contact in Canada
- Apostille officeGlobal Affairs Canada, Authentication Services Section2Documents issued by the Government of Canada, and documents issued or notarised in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island and Yukondocs@international.gc.ca
- Apostille officeCompetent authority of Alberta2Documents issued in Alberta and documents notarised in Alberta
- Apostille officeCompetent authority of British Columbia2Documents issued in British Columbia, and notarised documents only if the original was issued in the province
- Apostille officeCompetent authority of Ontario2Documents issued in Ontario and documents notarised in Ontario
- Apostille officeCompetent authority of Quebec2Documents issued in Quebec, and notarised documents only if the original was issued in the province
- Apostille officeCompetent authority of Saskatchewan2Documents issued in Saskatchewan and documents notarised in Saskatchewan
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in Canada
A document issued in Canada
The apostille comes from Canada, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with Canada.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in Canada
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in Canada. Canada accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Note: Rule
Global Affairs Canada cannot authenticate photocopies, religious documents, foreign documents, documents of unrecognised educational institutions, glued documents or laminated documents.2
Note: Rule
The document must be on paper, and the apostille is a separate certificate called an allonge that is attached securely to the document.2
Note: Rule
A document with the old red authentication stamp needs a new request on a clean version if it is to be used in an Apostille Convention country.2
Note: Rule
A private document can be authenticated after a Canadian notary public has notarised it, and a document notarised in Alberta, Ontario or Saskatchewan goes to that province's authority wherever it was issued.2
Note: Rule
Apostilles and authentication certificates issued by Global Affairs Canada do not expire.2
Before the apostille
Private documents
A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about apostilles in Canada
Does Canada accept apostilles?
Yes. Canada has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 11 January 2024, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in Canada?
Global Affairs Canada, Authentication Services Section (documents issued by the Government of Canada, and documents issued or notarised in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island and Yukon), Competent authority of Alberta (documents issued in Alberta and documents notarised in Alberta), Competent authority of British Columbia (documents issued in British Columbia, and notarised documents only if the original was issued in the province), Competent authority of Ontario (documents issued in Ontario and documents notarised in Ontario), Competent authority of Quebec (documents issued in Quebec, and notarised documents only if the original was issued in the province) and Competent authority of Saskatchewan (documents issued in Saskatchewan and documents notarised in Saskatchewan).
How much does an apostille cost in Canada?
No fee, according to the office (authentication and apostille service of Global Affairs Canada). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in Canada?
The office does not publish a processing time (checked 18 October 2026).
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. An apostille only works in other member countries. Countries outside the Convention use a different process, usually called legalisation. The office that receives your document decides what it accepts.
Sources and verification
Sources
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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