Improving authentication services in Canada

December 12, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada today announced upcoming improvements to its authentication services for documents to be used outside Canada.

Starting on January 11, 2024, authenticating some documents in Canada will become faster and simpler. When the Apostille Convention comes into force in Canada on this date, a single certificate, called an “apostille,” will be issued to authenticate Canadian public documents. This will facilitate their use in more than 120 countries that are members of the convention, eliminating some of the steps currently required to have documents accepted outside Canada.

As part of this change, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan will be responsible for issuing apostilles for documents issued or notarized in their respective provinces.

Global Affairs Canada will issue apostilles for documents from the remaining provinces, the territories, and the Government of Canada.

Detailed information is available online at Changes to authentication services, found in “Associated links” at the first linked page below.