GAC Authentication Requirements
Apostille or Authenticating Canadian Documents: Guidelines and Considerations When it comes to the apostille or authentication of documents, Global Affairs Canada's Authentication Services Section focuses solely on Canadian signatures. It is important to note that the content of the document itself is not reviewed or approved by them. However, it is essential to adhere to
Anyone who has gone through the process of adopting a Child internationally knows it involves a long list of official supporting documents that must be provided. In addition, many if not all of these documents need to be Apostilled or Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada and then Legalized at the Embassy of the country you are adopting from. With such an intensive process it's important to ensure your adoption papers
Each year Canadian professionals with Apprenticeship and Trade Certificates leave to find new work in foreign countries and to do so they first need their qualifications Apostilled or Authenticated at Global Affairs Canada. Any Canadian Apprenticeship or Trade Certificate needs to be Notarized by a Canadian Notary before it can be Apostilled or Authenticated.
Global Affairs Canada can Apostille or Authenticate all types of Canadian Bank documents for use internationally such as Bank Statements or Financial Records for Personal or Corporate reasons. To Authenticate bank documents Global Affairs Canada requires that they be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. Foreign bank documents cannot be apostilled or authenticated and must follow the rules of the country where the bank does business.
Original Canadian long form Birth Certificate issued by the Office of Vital Statistics of the relevant province/territory can be Apostilled or Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. This does not include Birth Certificates issued by a religious institution. Some of our clients have the plastic, wallet-sized versions of their Birth Certificate which unfortunately can not be processed. If this is you not to worry you can easily order the correct type of Canadian Birth Certificate for Apostille or
In order for a Burial or Cremation Document to be apostilled or authenticated by Global Affairs Canada it first must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. In addition, you must also provide a copy of the Death Certificate issued by one of the provincial or territorial statistics office. Common Burial or Cremation Documents that require Apostille or Authentication at Global Affairs Canada include: Burial Permit Cremation Certificate Coroner’s Certificate
Corporate Certificates issued by Corporations Canada that have an original signature and seal do not need to be Notarized before Apostille or Authentication at Global Affairs Canada. Any other Canadian Business or Corporate Document requiring Apostille or Authentication at Global Affairs Canada needs to be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. Although not often it does happen that a Canadian Business or Corporate Document is
Global Affairs Canada has the official signatures of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on file so Attestation or Certificates do not need to be notarized in order for them to be Apostilled or Authenticated. These would include: Export Certificates Certified Manufacturers’ Declarations Certificates of Free Sale and Health Attestations Certificates issued by CFIA
As Global Affairs Canada has the official signatures and seal of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) any certificates bearing the original official signature and seal can be Apostilled or Authenticated. Any other type of Canadian Intellectual Property documents must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. Common documents issued by CIPO not requiring Notarization include: Copyright Registration Certificates Industrial Design Registration Certificates Trademark Registration Certificates
Only a Certificate of Free Sale issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency can be apostilled or authenticated as issued. Any other types of Certificate of Free Sale must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary.
Only a Certificate of Origin signed and sealed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce can be Apostilled or Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada as issued. Certificate of Origins issued by a local Chamber of Commerce must be Notarized by a Canada Notary before being accepted for Apostille or Authentication by Global Affairs Canada.
Global Affairs Canada can Apostille or Authenticate original Citizenship Certificates issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Citizenship certificates can also be made into a Notarized copy by a Canadian Notary then be Apostilled or Authenticated.
Only a College Diploma or University Degree issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Apostilled or Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The Diploma or Degree must be signed and sealed by the relevant Office of the Registrar. A full signature, name and title must appear on the Diploma or Degree. As an
College or University transcripts issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Apostilled or Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The Transcripts must be signed and sealed by the relevant Office of the Registrar. A full signature, name and title must appear on the Transcripts. As an alternative
Only College or University Course Certificates issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Apostilled or Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The Course Certificate must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary.
Global Affairs Canada can Apostille or Authenticate Federal and Provincial Court Orders or Judgments that bear the original seal, signature and printed name of the Judge, Registrar, or Clerk of the Court in Canada do not need to be notarized. All other types of court documents must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary before Apostille
Criminal Record Checks issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) headquarters in Ottawa do not need to be Notarized before Apostille or Authentication at Global Affairs Canada. This type of RCMP Criminal Record Check will have the official seal and digital signature of the Director General of the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services
Original Canadian Death Certificates issued by the Office of Vital Statistics of the relevant province/territory can be Apostilled or Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. This does not include Death Certificates issued by a religious institution or funeral home.
Global Affairs Canada can Authenticate Divorce Certificates that have the printed name and signature of the Judge, Registrar, or Clerk of the Court in Canada. As an alternative a Notarized copy of a Divorce Certificate made by a Canadian Notary can be Apostilled or Authenticated
Only Educational Letters issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Apostilled or Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. Educational Institution Letters must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. Common Educational Institution Letters that require Apostille or Authentication include: Acceptance Letter Admission Letters Confirmation of Registration Letter Enrollment Letter Record of Attendance Letter
Elementary or High School Diploma issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Apostilled or Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The Elementary or High School Diploma must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary.
Elementary or High School Transcripts issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Apostilled or Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The Elementary or High School Transcripts must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary.
Documents such as the ones listed below issued by the Government of Canada or by a Provincial or Territorial Government need to be Notarized by a Canadian Notary before Apostille or Authentication at Global Affairs Canada. These include: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Documents Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Certificate of Residency Tax Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Certificate Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Statement Old Age
Global Affairs Canada can Apostille or Authenticate the signature of a Diplomatic or Consular Officer from a Foreign Embassy Consulate located in Canada.
Global Affairs Canada can Apostille or Authenticate a Notarized copy of a Canadian Identity Document made by a Canadian Notary. Common Canadian Identity Documents that require Authentication include: Drivers License Employee identification issued by the Federal, Provincial or Territorial government ID card issued by the Federal, Provincial or Territorial government Passport
