If you need to use your marriage certificate in another country—whether for immigration, residency, spousal visas, or legal name changes—you may be asked to provide an apostilled version of the document authenticated. An apostille is a legal certificate that certifies the authenticity of a public document, like a marriage certificate, so that it can be legally recognized in a foreign country.
This requirement comes from the Hague Apostille Convention, an international agreement that simplifies how documents from one country are validated in another. If the country of destination to which you’re sending your marriage certificate is a member of this convention, the apostille process is relatively straightforward. If it’s not a signatory of the Hague Convention, your document may need to get additional steps, like authentication and embassy legalization.
This article will guide you through the process of obtaining an apostilled marriage certificate, regardless of your country of residence or whether you are dealing with a country that is a member of the Apostille Convention. You’ll find out where to begin, which documents you’ll need, and how long the procedure usually takes.
Visit our Marriage Certificate Apostille page for further information and assistance to help you complete the process successfully.
Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].
What Is a Marriage Certificate Apostille?
A marriage certificate apostille is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of your Canadian marriage certificate and confirms it was issued by the appropriate authority. This is often required if you need to use your marriage certificate in another country—for example, for immigration purposes, a spousal visa, or to register your marriage outside of Canada.
As of January 11, 2024, Canada has signed the Hague Apostille Convention, which means you can now obtain an apostille for your marriage certificate instead of undergoing the longer authentication and legalization process. This certificate of apostille makes your Canadian marriage certificate valid in any other country that is also part of the Convention. If the country is not a party to the Hague Convention, your document must require additional steps, such as legalization by that country’s embassy or consulate.
Who Needs a Marriage Certificate Apostille?
You may need a marriage certificate apostille if you were married in Canada and intend to use your marriage certificate in another country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Some common instances are filing for a spousal visa, demonstrating your marriage to a foreign government, changing your name while living abroad, or registering your marriage in another country’s civil registration. The apostille verifies that your Canadian public document, such as a marriage certificate, is authentic and issued by the appropriate competent authority. It verifies the signature, seal, or stamp on the document, making it legally acceptable in other Convention countries.
If the country where you’re submitting the document is not part of the Hague Convention, you will need to follow a different process called authentication and legalization. This process requires certification from Global Affairs Canada, followed by legalization from the high commission or consulate of the destination country.
Marriage Certificate Apostille Requirements
To get an apostille for a Canadian marriage certificate, you must have an official document issued by a provincial or territorial Vital Statistics office. It must be either the original certificate or a certified true copy issued by that office. Photocopies, scanned copies, or certificates issued by religious institutions (like churches) cannot be apostilled.
As of January 11, 2024, Canada issues apostilles through designated competent authorities in each province and territory, as well as through Global Affairs Canada for federal documents. Where you send your marriage certificate depends on which province or territory issued it. You’ll also need to inform the office of the country in which you plan to use the document, as the apostille is only valid in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Step-by-Step Apostille Process
Determine Issuing Province or Federal Jurisdiction
Start by identifying where your Canadian marriage certificate was issued. Most marriage certificates are issued by provincial or territorial Vital Statistics offices. If your document was issued or notarized in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Québec, or Saskatchewan, it must be submitted to that province’s designated apostille authority. These provinces have their own apostille services in place following Canada’s adoption of the Hague Apostille Convention.
If your document was issued or notarized in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, or by a federal authority, then you must send it to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) for the apostille. Always confirm whether the issuing or notarizing jurisdiction is correct before submission to avoid delays.
Prepare Document Requirements
An original or certified copy of your marriage certificate, issued by a government authority, is required. Certificates from churches, religious institutions, or private organizations are not acceptable. The document must be comprehensive, clear, and formal. Apostille authorities usually reject documents that are either incomplete or modified.
It’s also important to know the destination country where the document will be used. While the apostille itself doesn’t list the country, knowing the destination ensures the correct process is followed. Apostilles are only valid for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. For non-member countries, the traditional authentication and legalization process still applies.
Submit to the Designated Authority
Send your documents to the appropriate apostille authority based on the issuing province or jurisdiction. Each province and territory has its own process, so requirements can vary. Some authorities allow in-person drop-off, while others only accept submissions by mail or courier.
Before you send in your application, verify the official website of the apostille authority in charge to make sure you know the current submission methods, fees, response times, and whether you need to make an appointment or fill out forms. Following these steps attentively will help you prevent delays or rejections in processing.
Processing Times
The processing is done according to the province or authority where the apostille is done. Your marriage certificate may be processed in a couple of business days at some provincial apostille offices, particularly those that accept filings in person. However, mailed applications or periods of high volume may result in longer wait times, typically ranging from one to three weeks.
If you’re sending to Global Affairs Canada, please expect a longer processing time. GAC usually takes between 15 and 20 working days, or longer, to execute apostille requests, especially when they are sent by mail. Expedited service is not currently guaranteed, so plan ahead if you have deadlines.
Receive Your Apostilled Marriage Certificate
After your request is approved, you will receive your marriage certificate back, which will have an apostille attached to it. This is typically a separate certificate that accompanies your document and verifies that the signature and seal are genuine and issued by an authorized agency in Canada.
This apostille certificate confirms the legitimacy of your marriage certificate for legal use in any country that is a member of the Hague Convention. Be sure to keep both the certificate and apostille intact, as tampering or separation can invalidate the document for use outside Canada.
Marriage Certificate Authentication and Legalization for Countries Not Members of the Apostille Convention
If you want to use your Canadian marriage certificate in a country that isn’t part of the Hague Apostille Convention, you have to have it authenticated and legalized beforehand. This method ensures that the document is genuine and eligible for authentication, so that it can be used in other countries. You need to prepare your document and obtain an authentication certificate before you can legalize it at the appropriate embassy or consulate. Canada employed this procedure before it joined the Apostille Convention, and it is still necessary for nations that aren’t members.
Authenticate Your Document
Start by preparing your document properly. You must submit the original document or a certified true copy of your Canadian marriage certificate. If the certificate was issued in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Québec, or Saskatchewan, it needs to be authenticated by the provincial authentication authority. If it was issued in any other province or territory—or if it’s a federal document—it must be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in Ottawa. Once reviewed, a certificate of authentication will be attached to confirm that the document is authentic.
Legalize Your Document
After authentication, the next step is to legalize the document. This means sending it to the consulate or embassy of the country where it will be used. The embassy reviews the authentication certificate and then applies its own stamp or seal, confirming the document will be accepted under that country’s legal system.
This two-step process can take several weeks, especially when sending documents by mail or working with embassies that have long processing times. Always check the destination country’s specific rules, as some may also require a certified translation, additional forms, or an appointment to complete the legalization process.
If you’re unsure how to navigate the marriage certificate apostille process, professional help can make things much easier. Our team has extensive experience with Canadian document apostille, legalization and authentication services, whether your document is for use in a Hague Convention country or not. We’ve helped thousands of Canadians prepare their marriage certificates for international use and are here to guide you through every step. To learn more, please visit our Marriage Certificate Apostille page.
Do You Need Assistance Authenticating Documents Issued in Canada? The Legalization Service Center Can Assist!
The Legalization Service Centre supports at every stage of the process for those seeking apostille, authentications, and attestation services for documents in Canada. We optimize the process to guarantee the accurate authentication of your documents for international purposes.
Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].