Authentication / apostille assist
Preparing and routing Ontario documents for use in another country.
Can I get an apostille or authentication online in Ontario?
We confirm this with you.
The notarial step is done in person, and the apostille itself is issued by Ontario Official Documents Services or Global Affairs Canada — not by us. We confirm the steps for your destination before you book.
- In-person notarial step
- Government-issued apostille
- Destination rules apply
How it works with enotarypublic
The document is often notarized or certified first, in person. We prepare it for the apostille or authentication and legalization step required by the destination country.
Foreign authority decides: The destination sets its own requirements, which may include a certified translation, specific wording, or consular legalization.
General legal information for Ontario residents, not formal legal advice.
What is this service?
To use an Ontario document in another country it often needs authentication — and, since Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024, an apostille for documents used in a member country. An apostille confirms the signature or seal on your document so a foreign authority will accept it, without embassy legalization. The apostille itself is issued by the government, not by us: Ontario Official Documents Services (ODS) issues apostilles for Ontario documents, and Global Affairs Canada issues them for federal documents. Our part is the notarial step first, and helping route the document to the right authority. General information only, not legal advice.
Common uses
- Documents for use in another country
- Educational or corporate records abroad
- Personal documents for immigration abroad
How it works
- 1
Prepare
We review the destination country and what the document needs.
- 2
Notarize / certify
Complete any required notarial step first — many documents must be notarized before an apostille.
- 3
Apostille
The document goes to ODS (Ontario documents) or Global Affairs Canada (federal documents), which issues the apostille.
- 4
Return
You receive the apostilled document, ready for use in the destination country.
What you’ll need
- The document (often notarized or certified first)
- The destination country
- Valid government-issued photo ID
Included
- Notarial certificate prepared
- Filing details for the correct issuer (ODS or GAC)
- For use abroad
General information only — this is not legal advice. Whether a document can be completed online depends on the specific document and the receiving institution; we confirm this before you book.
Common authentication / apostille assist situations
Authentication / apostille assist — common questions
Can an apostille or authentication be done online in Ontario?▾
The notarial step is done in person. The apostille itself is issued by Ontario's Official Documents Services or by Global Affairs Canada — not by us.
What is the difference between an apostille and legalization?▾
For countries in the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is used. For other countries, the document may need authentication and consular legalization instead. We confirm which applies for your destination.
Do I need a translation?▾
The destination country may require a certified translation and specific wording. The foreign authority sets its own requirements.
More general questions are answered on our FAQ page.