Apostille in Canada: Who Issues It?
The authority depends on the province that issued your document. Asiatis coordinates apostilles for Quebec documents only, with the certified translation.
Who issues the apostille in Canada?
The apostille in Canada is issued by the authority of the province that issued the document: Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan. Global Affairs Canada handles federal documents and those from the other provinces and territories. Asiatis coordinates apostilles for Quebec documents only, through a partner company.
- ✓Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan: provincial authority
- ✓Federal documents, other provinces and territories: Global Affairs Canada
- ✓Asiatis: Quebec documents only
Required Documents
- Original document requiring apostille
- Specify the exact destination country
- Indicate if a certified translation is also needed
What is an apostille?
An apostille is an authentication certificate that confirms the origin of a public document (such as a signature, seal, or stamp) for use in another country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Canada joined this convention on January 11, 2024.
Apostille or legalization?
If the destination country is a member of the Hague Convention, an apostille is usually sufficient. If the country is not a member, a more complex legalization process is often required, usually involving the destination country's consulate or embassy.
When is a certified translation also required?
Most foreign authorities require documents to be submitted in their official language. Therefore, it is often necessary to provide both the apostilled original document and a certified translation.
Documents concerned
Examples of Quebec documents that can be apostilled in Quebec:
- Birth certificates and other Quebec civil status records
- Diplomas from Quebec institutions
- Quebec court judgments, including divorce judgments
- Quebec notarial deeds and powers of attorney
Who issues the apostille, by province
According to Global Affairs Canada, the authority depends on where the document was issued:
- Quebec: Ministère de la Justice du Québec
- Ontario: Government of Ontario
- Alberta: Government of Alberta
- British Columbia: Government of British Columbia
- Saskatchewan: Government of Saskatchewan
- Federal documents, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the territories: Global Affairs Canada
Quebec only — our service
Our apostille support is limited to documents issued in Quebec: we prepare the certified translation and coordinate the request with the Ministère de la Justice du Québec through our partner company. For any other document, contact the competent authority listed above directly.
Indicative timeframes and fees
Government fees and processing times vary significantly depending on the type of document, the competent authority, and the destination country. They are provided for indicative purposes and must be verified at the time of your specific request. Immediate online payment does not apply to apostille or legalization requests. A custom quote is provided before any processing.
How It Works
Document analysis
Send your documents. We evaluate the apostille and translation requirements based on the destination.
Indicative quote
Receive an estimate covering the translation and our coordination service.
Translation & Coordination
We perform the certified translation; our partner company handles the apostille request with the Ministère de la Justice du Québec.
Delivery
Receive your complete package ready for international use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asiatis a government authority?
No. Asiatis is a translation agency: for Quebec documents, we prepare the certified translation and coordinate the apostille request with our partner company.
Do you guarantee processing times?
No. Processing times depend entirely on the government authorities (Ministry of Justice of Quebec, Global Affairs Canada, etc.) and the destination embassies. We cannot guarantee official processing times.
Can you apostille documents from other Canadian provinces?
No. Our apostille support is limited to documents issued in Quebec. For a federal document or one from another province, contact Global Affairs Canada or that province's authority.
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