Canadian Marriage Certificate Apostille for Use Abroad

When presenting a Canadian marriage certificate for official use in another country, it must first be verified as authentic. This verification is done through an apostille, a certificate that confirms the legitimacy of the public official’s signature, seal, or stamp on your document. The apostille ensures that your marriage certificate will be legally recognized abroad without additional authentication or legalization, provided it is being used in a country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention.

As of January 11, 2024, Canada became a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This change has simplified the process of validating Canadian public documents by replacing the previous two-step procedure of authentication and legalization with a single standardized apostille certificate.

This article provides a clear, step-by-step overview of how to obtain an apostille for a Canadian marriage certificate. It talks about eligibility requirements, how to submit an application, and province-specific information. You’ll also find useful tips on avoiding common mistakes that could slow down processing or cause your documents to be turned down.

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 an Apostille and Why Does It Matter for a Canadian Marriage Certificate

An apostille is an official document that proves that a public document, like a marriage certificate, is authentic. It confirms that the issuing authority’s signature, seal, or stamp is legitimate, but it does not verify the document’s actual content. The apostille system was established under the Hague Apostille Convention to simplify how documents are recognized between member countries. For countries that are signatories to the Convention, a single apostille certificate replaces the previous two-step process of authentication and legalization.

A Canadian marriage certificate must have an apostille if it will be used in a country that recognizes the Hague Convention. This confirms its authenticity and allows it to be accepted abroad without additional embassy or consular legalization. The traditional authentication and legalization process still applies if the destination country is not part of the Convention. Since January 2024, Canada’s designated competent authorities at both the federal and provincial levels have been authorized to issue apostilles for public documents, including marriage certificates, depending on where the document was issued.

Step-by-Step: How to Get an Apostille of a Canadian Marriage Certificate

Step 1: Obtain the Correct Marriage Certificate

Begin by obtaining the correct version of your marriage certificate from the Vital Statistics office in the province or territory where your marriage was registered. Only certified copies of the document or original certificates issued by these offices can be apostilled. Church-issued, commemorative, or wallet-sized certificates are not valid for this process. If you do not have the official version, you must request one directly from the appropriate Vital Statistics authority before applying for an apostille.

Step 2: Check if any Notarization or Translation is Required Before the Apostille

In most cases, Canadian marriage certificates written in English or French do not need to be translated or notarized before getting an apostille. However, a certified translation may be required if the document will be used in a country that does not accept either language. A certified translation is certified by a member of a recognized professional translators’ association in Canada, confirming that the translation is accurate and complete.

If you’re submitting a translation, the Canadian notary public adds to their declaration that the document was written in another language and that the attached attestation of a translation is a true and faithful version of the original. In some cases, you may also need to notarize the translator’s declaration to verify its authenticity. Checking these requirements with the destination country’s authorities helps ensure your documents meet all legal standards and are accepted without delay.

Step 3: Determine the Correct Competent Authority (Global Affairs Canada or Provincial Authority)

The office responsible for issuing the apostille depends on where the marriage certificate was issued. The Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada (GAC), manages the authentication process for Canadian documents issued by federal departments or specific provinces and territories that do not have their own apostille authority. Meanwhile, provinces such as Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan have designated authorities that issue apostilles for documents originating within their jurisdiction.

Before you send your documents, confirm which authority is responsible for avoiding delays. If the apostilled document is going to be shown to a consulate or embassy in the country of destination, it’s important to check if any extra steps are needed. This is because some foreign authorities may still ask for more validation depending on their own rules.

Step 4: Send Your Document and Pay the Fee

Follow the submission instructions provided by the competent authority. Some offices allow in-person applications, while others require mail or courier delivery. Be sure to include all required forms, payment, and a return envelope if applying by mail. Fees and processing times vary depending on the issuing office. Incomplete applications or missing information may cause delays, so review the requirements carefully before submission.

Step 5: Receive the Apostille Certificate and Attach it to the Marriage Certificate

Once approved, the competent authority will issue a certificate called an Apostille. This official document confirms that the signature and seal on your marriage certificate are authentic. The apostille may be printed on the back of the document or attached as a separate page. It involves information regarding the issuing authority, date, and reference number, which can be used for verification purposes.

Step 6: Using the Document Abroad

After receiving the apostille, your original document becomes valid for use outside of Canada in any country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This means your marriage certificate can be used in other countries that are signatory to the Hague Apostille without the need to further legalize it. However, if you plan to use the document in a country that is not a member of the Convention, you may still need to have it legalized by the destination country’s embassy or consulate in Canada. Always verify the country’s document requirements where it will be used to ensure your paperwork is fully accepted abroad.

Province/Territory-Specific Considerations

Each province and territory in Canada has its own office that issues apostilles. The competent authority depends on where your marriage certificate was registered. Submitting your request to the Canadian relevant authority helps prevent delays or rejections.

Ontario

Apostilles in Ontario are issued by Official Documents Services (ODS) under the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery. Vital records such as marriage, death, and birth certificates issued in Ontario are eligible for an apostille. Documents issued or notarized in Ontario, including academic credentials, can be authenticated under ODS guidelines. If you need to order a new marriage certificate issued before applying, contact the Ontario Registrar General or the provincial Vital Statistics office.

Alberta

Alberta issues apostilles through its Documents for Other Jurisdictions or Countries service. The document must be an original or a certified copy issued by the provincial Vital Statistics office. Alberta accepts vital records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates for apostilles. Related documents, such as a certificate of divorce, may also need authentication if required by the destination country.

British Columbia

As of January 11, 2024, British Columbia has been able to apostille documents that were issued or notarized in the province. When applying, applicants must say which country the apostille is going to so that it meets that country’s legal requirements. Under provincial rules, any document issued or notarized in British Columbia, including vital records and education credentials, may be eligible for an apostille.

Quebec and Other Provinces or Territories

Quebec’s Applying for an Apostille service handles documents issued or notarized in Quebec, but cannot issue apostilles for federal or out-of-province documents. If you require a Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage, which confirms your eligibility to marry abroad, this must be requested through Global Affairs Canada, not a provincial office. Provinces and territories without their own authority, including Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories, also rely on Global Affairs Canada to issue apostilles. Always check the provincial or territorial rules where your marriage certificate was registered before applying.

Apostille vs. Authentication and Legalization: What’s the Difference?

Apostille

An apostille is a single certificate that confirms a Canadian public document is genuine. It is recognized by all countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Once your document has an apostille, it can be used abroad without any further verification or embassy involvement. This new process replaces the old two-step system for countries that recognize apostilles.

Authentication

Authentication remains necessary for documents for use in countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention. This step involves Global Affairs Canada or a designated provincial authority verifying that the signature or seal on your documents for authentication is valid and that the document is eligible for authentication under Canadian requirements.

Legalization

Legalization is the second step that follows authentication. In this step, the embassy or consulate of the destination country in Canada verifies the authenticated document. Legalization confirms that the document meets the requirements of that specific country. Although the apostille system now replaces this process for member countries, authentication and legalization are still necessary for non-member countries.

Processing Times

Processing times for apostilles in Canada vary depending on where your document was issued and the workload of each office. The Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is generally a time-consuming process since it has to deal with federal documents and application forms of provinces that do not have their own apostille authority. As of 2025, the expected timeframes are:

Global Affairs Canada (GAC): about 20 business days from when the documents are received (excluding mailing time)
Alberta: usually 7–10 business days
British Columbia: about 4-6 weeks, without courier/mailing time
Ontario: up to 10 business days for in-person authentication of court-issued documents
Quebec: standard processing time of 10 business days, not including mailing

To prevent delays, ensure you meet all requirements and complete your payment information before submitting your request form. Most offices let you track the status of your documents online or by email. To prevent issues, apply early and allow extra time for mailing, verification, and peak processing periods, especially if your apostilled document is needed for travel, study, or legal purposes abroad.

Need an Apostille for Your Canadian Marriage Certificate? LSC Can Help You & Next Steps

If you need to apostille a Canadian marriage certificate so you can use it in another country, make sure you follow all the steps and check that your paperwork meets international standards. To avoid delays, make sure you fill out the right request form and check the status of your documents.

If you’re unsure how to authenticate your document or which authority to contact, LSC’s apostille, legalization and authentication service can take care of the entire process for you. We’ll ensure your marriage certificate is properly verified, apostilled, or legalized according to your destination country’s requirements—so your documents are accepted without issues wherever you go.