Apostille Quebec: Expert Document Authentication Services in Canada
On January 11, 2024, Canada—including Quebec—joined the Apostille Convention, making it easier to issue and authenticate apostille certificates for international use.
Apostille Process in Quebec and Changes to Authentication Services Across Canada
Before using documents issued in Canada or other public documents abroad, they often require authentication or legalization to verify the authenticity of the official’s signature on the document. If your document needs to be used in a country that is not a signatory of the Apostille Convention, it may need to be legalized by the country of destination’s authorities, such as an embassy, high commission, or consulate in or accredited to Canada. However, if you obtain an apostille for documents issued in Canada, it should be accepted in all countries that are part of the Apostille Convention, with no further steps required.
As of January 11, 2024, Canada’s accession to the Hague Apostille Convention simplified the authentication process by removing the need for the legalization of official documents intended for use in other signatory countries. Documents issued in Canada—whether from federal bodies or province of Quebec authorities, such as the Ministry of Justice du Québec—will now receive an apostille certificate in the form of a separate document securely attached to the main authenticated document.
Opt for Our Quebec Apostille Services and Authentication Services in Canada
- Contact Us via the Form: Complete the form below to confirm all important details.
- Prepare Your Documents and Submit Them: Choose to deliver physical documents to our office or send digital ones online (if available).
- Receive Your Prepared Documents: Access them in Canada, in another country, or via electronic delivery.
With over 15 years of success and practical experience in document services in Canada, we’re glad to help make your next international adventure one to remember for the right reasons.
Contact us today for more information!
Submit a Request for Document Authentication and Apostille Services
Why Choose Our Canadian Document Apostille and Document Legalization Services
- Expertise: With over 15 years in document certification and legalization, we provide expert guidance on authentication at Global Affairs Canada and support for documents issued across Canada.
- Customer Focus: We prioritize your needs, offering full support for a wide range of documents to make certain each document authenticated complies with destination country requirements.
- Speed: Time is critical, and we understand the urgency. Our team’s diligent approach ensures your documents are processed as quickly as possible. We often achieve authentication in just couple business days, well ahead of the standard processing at Global Affairs Canada.
Our Collaboration with Canadian Competent Authorities
We work closely with all Canadian competent authorities to facilitate the apostille or authentication of documents issued by the Government of Canada and documents originating from across Canada.
The Legalization Service Centre (LSC), based in Ottawa with physical representations in Toronto, Mississauga, North York, Montreal, Vancouver, and other cities, provides global document solutions for clients across Canada and internationally, assisting with a wide range of documents for international use.
Apostille Ontario:
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Hamilton
- London
- Markham
- Vaughan
- Kitchener
- Windsor
Apostille Alberta:
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Red Deer
- Lethbridge
- St. Albert
- Medicine Hat
- Grande Prairie
- Airdrie
- Spruce Grove
- Leduc
Apostille Manitoba:
- Winnipeg
- Brandon
- Steinbach
- Thompson
- Portage la Prairie
- Selkirk
- Winkler
- Morden
- Dauphin
- Flin Flon
Apostille New Brunswick:
- Moncton
- Saint John
- Fredericton
- Dieppe
- Oromocto
- Bathurst
- Miramichi
- Edmundston
- Riverview
- Rothesay
Apostille Newfoundland and Labrador:
- St. John’s
- Mount Pearl
- Corner Brook
- Paradise
- Labrador City
- Marystown
- Deer Lake
- Gander
- Grand Falls-Windsor
- Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Apostille Nova Scotia:
- Halifax
- Sydney
- Dartmouth
- Truro
- New Glasgow
- Glace Bay
- Kentville
- Amherst
- Bridgewater
- Yarmouth
Apostille Prince Edward Island:
- Charlottetown
- Summerside
- Stratford
- Cornwall
- Montague
- Souris
- Alberton
- Tignish
- Kensington
- Georgetown
Apostille Quebec:
- Montreal
- Quebec City
- Laval
- Gatineau
- Longueuil
- Sherbrooke
- Trois-Rivières
- Saguenay
- Lévis
- Terrebonne
Send Your Documents for Authentication and Apostille Services in Canada
Start the process by completing our request for authentication form and sending documents issued to us. We handle every step, from securing an apostille to processing through Global Affairs Canada or the relevant different authentication authority in Canada. Our expertise ensures your documents—whether issued in Quebec or another territory where your document originated—are properly authenticated and apostilled, ready for international use in English or French as required.
Affidavit
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Divorce Certificate
Death Certificate
Marriage Search Certificate
University Degree
College Diploma
High School Diploma
Transcripts
Criminal Record Check Certificate from Ottawa RCMP
Criminal Record Check Certificate from Local Police
Fingerprints
Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad
Power of Attorney
Corporate Documents
Court Documents
Adoption Certificate
Other
Countries That Are Signatories of the Hague Apostille Convention
On January 11, 2024, Canada officially joined the Hague Apostille Convention. This membership means that Canadian public documents authenticated with an apostille are now accepted across all participating countries, greatly simplifying the authentication or legalization process for foreign documents intended for use abroad. Below is a list of countries where your apostilled documents will be accepted.
Cabo Verde
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Eswatini
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Malawi
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niue
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
São Tomé and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea (Republic of Korea)
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Testimonials from Clients on Our Expert Document Services
Highly recommended!
Will highly recommend for any legalization and Apostle services!
Thank you for your great service!
Our Latest Thoughts on Canadian Documents
How to Get a Canadian Marriage Certificate Apostille for Use Outside: Apostille Convention Guide
The commemorative marriage certificate handed to couples on the day — the decorative one with the officiant's flourish — is not a public document and cannot be apostilled. What the authorities need is the official marriage certificate issued by the provincial or...
Apostille Québec: How Authentication and Legalization Work in the Province
Quebec is the one province where a notarial act cannot go straight to the apostille authority. Before the provincial ministry will look at it, the notary's signature has to be certified by their professional order — a step that adds weeks and that most applicants...
Apostille Canada Process: Document Authentication and Legalization Step by Step Apostille Convention Guide
Most rejected files never reach the stage where anyone reads them. They come back because the package went to an office with no jurisdiction over it — and since 2024 there are six different competent authorities in the country, each covering a different set of...
How to Choose the Type of Criminal Record Check — and Where to Apply
Applying to the wrong police service does not just delay your file — in Ontario it ends it. The Ontario Provincial Police state plainly that if you apply while living in a community policed by another service, your application will not be processed and you will not be...
What Does a Criminal Record Check Show?
Did you know? A clear result does not mean you have no criminal records. It means nothing was disclosable — which is a different statement entirely. Convictions time out, discharges expire from view, and a name-based search can miss criminal records belonging to...
RCMP Criminal Record Check Forms: A Guide to Choosing the Right One
Did you know? There is no such thing as "the" criminal record check. There are three distinct police record checks, each releasing a different amount of information, and above them sits a separate federal product searched by fingerprint. Ask for the wrong one and you...
Frequently Asked Questions
What Could Prevent a Canadian Document from Qualifying for the Apostille Process?
Only documents that have an original signature or seal are eligible; photocopies are not accepted for apostille. If the seal or signature on de document cannot be verified, the request for authentication cannot proceed. Documents that have been glued or laminated cannot be stamped and thus are ineligible. Any document with a coating that prevents stamping cannot receive an apostille.
Only documents issued in Canada are eligible, so Canadian competent authority does not authenticate foreign documents. Certain types of documents, such as baptismal and marriage certificates, issued by religious institutions, do not qualify for an apostille. Documents from educational institutions that lack official recognition may not be eligible for an apostille.
Competent authority may refuse an apostille if there are concerns about the document’s authenticity, potential for misleading use, or if it may be involved in fraudulent or illegal activities. In such cases, they may refer the matter to the appropriate authorities.
Is it Necessary to Notarize Documents Before Applying for an Apostille?
Certain documents need to be notarized by a notary public before they can proceed to authentication or legalization by the appropriate authority, which may include documents issued by the Government of Canada. The province or territory where your document is notarized will determine the appropriate authority for submission.
Notarizing specific copies can also reduce the time required to obtain an apostille significantly. The Legalization Service Centre (LSC) works closely with certified notaries across various provinces, including du Québec, and can assist you throughout this process.
Is Translation Necessary Before Applying to Obtain an Apostille?
If any part or all of your document is in a language other than English or French, it must be officially translated by a certified translator who belongs to a recognized provincial translators’ association.
Alternatively, you may opt for the services of a Canadian notary fluent in English, French, and the original language of the document. In this case, the notary must provide a special certification endorsement on the document.
The appropriate method for verifying a document in another language is assessed individually. In both scenarios, the Legalization Service Centre (LSC) can guide you through this process as part of obtaining an apostille, ensuring your documents meet all necessary requirements for authentication or legalization.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Apostille in Canada?
As of late September 2024, the authentication section at Global Affairs Canada typically processes apostille requests within 10 business days, with an additional 5 business days required for return shipping of your documents.
Since the effect on January 11, 2024, provincial competent authorities, including in Quebec, are also able to legalize documents, though processing times may vary depending on the specific authority.
At the Legalization Service Centre (LSC), we know how essential it is to receive apostilled documents quickly. We use our expertise and partnerships to expedite the process, and our personal best for obtaining an apostille is one business day.
What Other Factors Should You Consider When You Apply for an Apostille or Request Authentication of Documents in Canada?
Fees for apostille services depend on the type of document and the jurisdiction where it was issued. For the most current fee information or to obtain a request form, we recommend consulting with our experts at the Legalization Service Centre (LSC).
Does an Apostille Verify Document Content? No, an apostille does not evaluate the content of a document. It only authenticates the authority of the signer and the legitimacy of the issuing organization.
An apostille is required only for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. For non-member countries, documents may still require the authentication or legalization steps. The Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada began providing apostille certifications on January 11, 2024.
In Canada, the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan are designated competent authorities responsible for issuing apostilles.
An apostille itself does not expire, but the legal validity of the authenticated document may be subject to the laws of the country of destination, so it’s important to verify specific requirements in the jurisdiction where the document will be used.