The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Canada is located in Ottawa, and there is no Saudi embassy or consulate in Vancouver. This is important for individuals seeking consular assistance or document-related services, as all official requests must go through the Saudi Arabian embassy in Ottawa. As of January 11, 2024, both Canada and Saudi Arabia are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, which means Canadian public documents generally no longer require traditional embassy legalization to be used in Saudi Arabia. Instead of going through the former authentication and embassy legalization process, an apostille issued by Global Affairs Canada or a designated provincial authority is now sufficient for most legal, educational, and professional purposes, as recognized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The embassy of Saudi Arabia continues to support Saudi citizens and residents across Canada by offering a variety of consular services, including passport renewals, visa applications, and community support. For those planning to study, work, or do business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, understanding the apostille process—and confirming with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the relevant Saudi institution if additional steps are required based on the document type—is essential for a smooth and legally compliant experience.
If you need assistance with apostille processing in Canada, we’re here to help. Our team specializes in document authentication for international use under the Apostille Convention. Check our Apostille Canada page for more details.
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].
Saudi Arabia and the Apostille Convention
Saudi Arabia officially joined the Hague Apostille Convention on December 7, 2022. This was a significant change because it simplified how documents from other countries, like Canada, can be used in Saudi Arabia. If your Canadian document has an apostille (a special certificate proving it’s real), you don’t need to take it to the Saudi Embassy for extra stamps or approvals. The apostille alone is enough.
Canada also joined the Apostille Convention, starting on January 11, 2024. Before that, Canadians had to go through a longer process that included both federal government authentication and embassy legalization. Now, with both countries part of the same agreement, it’s much faster and easier to prepare documents for use in Saudi Arabia.
However, this simpler process only works between countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Since both Canada and Saudi Arabia are members, the apostille system works for them. But if you send documents to a country that is not part of the Convention, you might still need extra embassy steps.
How to Get Document Certification from the Saudi Embassy?
What is a Certified True Copy and How is it Obtained?
A certified true copy is a copy of a document that has been officially verified to match the original. In Canada, this is usually done by a notary public, lawyer, or commissioner of oaths, who checks the original document and stamps the copy to confirm accuracy. This step is often required when sending important documents—like degrees, transcripts, or passports—for use abroad, including in Saudi Arabia. Certified true copies are commonly needed before the apostille process can begin.
Do You Need Fingerprints for Document Certification?
Fingerprints are not required for regular document certification but are needed if you’re applying for a police clearance certificate or RCMP criminal record check. These background checks are often required for work visas, permanent residency, or university applications in Saudi Arabia. Once the background check is complete, the final document can be notarized and apostilled for international use.
Documents that can be legally certified include:
- Educational records (diplomas, transcripts)
- Personal records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports)
- Commercial documents (invoices, certificates of origin, contracts)
These documents must be certified before they can be apostilled and recognized as valid in Saudi Arabia. Certification helps prove the documents are legitimate and properly issued in Canada.
Step‑by‑Step Process Getting an Apostille in Canada
Step 1: Check Document Eligibility
Before acquiring an apostille, be sure your document is a Canadian public document. It must come from a Canadian government official, court, or school (public institution).
Check for an original signature and seal, where needed. It may be rejected if it is laminated, glued, or has no visible signature. Officials must be able to confirm the document’s legitimacy instantly.
Step 2: Compile Your Document
Before giving an apostille, a Canadian Notary Public must notarize several documents, such as affidavits and powers of attorney. A notary checks the document’s authenticity and adds their official stamp or signature.
A notary verifies the document and attaches their official stamp or signature. A certified translator is required if the document is not in English or French. This enables Canadian officials to review the document prior to approving the apostille.
Step 3: Send it to Global Affairs Canada or Provincial Competent Authorities for Authentication
Your document should be submitted to the appropriate authority upon completion. In Canada, apostilles are issued by Global Affairs Canada or designated provincial authorities, depending on the location of the document’s issuance or notarization.
- Global Affairs Canada manages documents that are issued or notarized in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, or at the federal level.
- Provincial authorities manage apostilles in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
You can send in documents by mail, courier, or in person, depending on what services the office offers. To avoid any delays, make sure you follow their current submission rules correctly.
Step 4: Obtain Your Apostilled Document
The Apostille proves that the document is lawful. Thus, it can be used in any country that has signed the Apostille Convention without needing to be checked again by foreign embassies and consulates.
The apostille process makes it easier to use Canadian documents worldwide. Ensuring Canadian documents are correctly recognized, prepared, verified, and apostilled makes them more legitimate and acceptable in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. This approach makes it easier for Canadian nationals to utilize Canadian documents for travel.
Saudi Arabian Embassy Services Offer
Assistance Available for Visa Applications
If you’re applying for a Saudi visa from Canada, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa can help by providing information about the process, including which documents you need and how to submit them through online systems like MOFA or Enjazit. The embassy doesn’t approve visas directly—that’s done by authorities in Saudi Arabia—but they help make sure your application is complete and properly prepared.
Services Offered by the Consulate
The Saudi Arabian embassy in Ottawa also provides important consular services. These include authentication and legalization of documents (like diplomas, marriage certificates, or business papers) so they can be used in Saudi Arabia. They also help Saudi citizens living in Canada with passport renewals, ID services, and other official matters.
Emergency Consular Assistance
The embassy can offer emergency support if there’s an emergency—such as a lost passport, an arrest, or a medical issue involving a Saudi citizen. While they can’t give legal advice or cover personal expenses, they can help coordinate with local Canadian authorities and guide you through what to do next.
Common Mistakes Stopping Apostille or Authentication
Sending Invalid Documents
Not every document qualifies for an apostille under the Hague Apostille Convention. For instance, commercial records, medical certificates, religious documents, and academic records from unrecognized institutions might still require traditional authentication by Global Affairs Canada and legalization by a foreign embassy. Confirming the document category and eligibility prior to submission is crucial. Typically, only certain public documents—such as court documents, birth certificates, and notarized legal papers—are accepted for apostille.
Improper Document Format
Global Affairs Canada will reject documents that are laminated, altered, glued, or damaged, as these can interfere with verifying signatures, stamps, or seals. Documents must be clean and legible with visible official marks. Certified copies must be notarized by a licenced Canadian Notary Public, and the notary’s credentials must be verifiable by Canadian authorities.
Missing Contact Information
When submitting documents by mail or courier, applicants must include accurate contact information, such as a return address, phone number, and email. Missing or incorrect details may cause delays in processing or result in your documents being returned improperly or not at all.
Member Countries to the Apostille Convention
The Hague Apostille Convention, which includes more than 120 countries from every continent, is acknowledged worldwide for its significance in easing international travel, business, education, and legal affairs. The detailed list of countries that have signed the Apostille Convention enhances mutual recognition and simplifies document authentication procedures.
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Bosnia Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Burundi
- 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
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- 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 Príncipe
- 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
Countries that are not signatories will not recognize Canadian documents unless they are authenticated, legalized, or attested, which takes longer than the apostille process in signatory countries.
If you need assistance with apostille processing in Canada, we’re here to help. Our team specializes in document authentication for international use under the Apostille Convention. Check our Apostille Canada page for more details.
Are You Looking to Get an Apostille For a Canadian Document for Use Outside Canada? Legalization Service Centre Has You Covered!
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].