Apostille Canada Services | Document Authentication and Legalization

Certain documents need to be notarized by a notary public before a competent authority can authenticate them. This may include specific document types issued by the Government of Canada. The province or territory where your document is notarized will determine the authentication authority to which you need to send it for the authentication and legalization process.

Additionally, notarizing certain copies of documents can greatly reduce the time required to obtain an apostille. The Legalization Service Centre (LSC) collaborates with official Canadian notaries across various provinces and can assist with this process as part of our official documents services.

If any part of the document requiring an apostille, or the entire document, is written in a language other than English or French, an official translation by a certified translator (a member of a recognized provincial translators’ association) is necessary for the authentication of documents.

Alternatively, you can use the services of a Canadian notary public who is proficient in English and/or French, as well as the original language of the document. In such cases, the notary must add a special confirming endorsement to part of your document to facilitate the apostille process.

The most appropriate type of verification for a document written in another language is determined on a case-by-case basis. In both instances, the Legalization Service Centre (LSC) can manage this task as part of apostilling one or more documents for its clients, ensuring that all document requirements are met for authentication.

As of the end of September 2024, Global Affairs Canada processes documents submitted for an apostille within an average of 10 business days. Additionally, you should allow an extra 5 business days for the documents to be returned to you, whether you are obtaining an authentication certificate for use outside Canada or within.

However, it is important to note that effective from January 11, 2024, provincial authentication authorities can also perform document legalization. The time required for this process can vary depending on the specific organization and any changes to authentication services.

At the Legalization Service Centre (LSC), we recognize the importance of receiving apostilled documents promptly. Therefore, we strive to expedite the authentication process using our expertise as apostille specialists and partnerships with consulates and embassies. Our fastest record for obtaining an apostille is 1 business day.

The fees for apostille services vary depending on the document type and its place of issuance. For the most current fee information, we recommend contacting us directly through the contact us section on our website or consulting with our experts at the Legalization Service Centre (LSC).

Does an Apostille Validate the Document’s Content? No, an apostille does not evaluate the content of a document. It only verifies the signer’s authority and the legitimacy of the issuing organization, ensuring that the document has been authenticated for official use.

An apostille is required only for member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention. Countries that are not members still require the traditional authentication or legalization process through their respective embassies or consulates.

In Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan are designated as authentication authorities competent to issue an apostille, ensuring that Canadian documents are properly authenticated for international use.

An apostille itself does not expire. However, the legal validity of the certified document may be subject to the regulations of the destination country, making it essential to verify the specific requirements of the country where your document will be used outside of Canada.