Diploma Apostille: Fast Degree Certificate Authentication

Some documents, including certain degree certificates, may need to be notarized before a competent authority can authenticate them for an apostille. The necessity for notarization depends on the type of degree certificate you have and the specific regulations in the province or territory where it was issued.

The province or territory where your document is notarized will determine the competent authority to which you must submit it for authentication. Each region may have its own procedures and designated offices for handling apostille services.

If any part of your document is written in a language other than English or French, an official translation by a certified translator (a member of a recognized provincial association of translators) is required. This ensures that the competent authorities can accurately verify and authenticate the content of your document. The document must be translated according to the translation requirements set by the authorities.

Instead of obtaining an official translation, you may opt to use the services of a Canadian notary who is fluent in English and/or French as well as the original language of your document. In this case, the notary must add a special confirming endorsement to the document, certifying its contents and their understanding of it. This endorsement serves as a bridge between the original language and the official languages recognized by the authentication authorities.

The most suitable method of verification for a document written in another language is determined on a case-by-case basis. Factors such as the type of document, its intended use, and the specific requirements of the destination country all play a role in this decision.

As of the end of September 2024, Global Affairs Canada processes degree certificates submitted for an apostille within an average of 10 business days. Additionally, you should allow an extra 5 business days for the return shipment of your documents.

However, following changes to authentication services effective from January 11, 2024, provincial competent authorities can also carry out the legalization of documents, including degree certificates. The processing time for this can vary depending on the specific organization.

At the Legalization Service Centre (LSC), we understand how crucial it can be to receive your apostilled degree certificate as quickly as possible. That’s why we leverage our experience and partnerships to expedite the process. Our personal record for obtaining an apostille for a degree certificate is one business day.

The fees for obtaining an apostille for your degree certificate can vary depending on its place of issue. For the most current fee information, we recommend consulting with our experts at the Legalization Service Centre (LSC).

Does an apostille validate the document’s Content? No, an apostille does not assess or validate the content of your degree certificate. It solely authenticates the authority of the signer and the legitimacy of the issuing organization.

An apostille is necessary only for member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention. Non-member countries continue to require the traditional authentication and legalization process for documents like degree certificates.

In Canada, provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan are designated as competent authorities to issue apostilles for documents like degree certificates.

An apostille itself does not have an expiry date. However, the legal validity of your apostilled degree certificate may be subject to the regulations of the destination country. It’s crucial to verify the specific requirements of the country where you intend to use the document.