Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(DFAIT / JLAC) Document Authentication Requirements

Please find below our most important resource, the document authentication requirements of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. This page outlines the specifics of what is required to verify, process and authenticate your documents with our office and DFAIT. If you have any questions or difficulties verifying if your document is ready for processing and authentication before sending it to our office please contact us.

General Information

Only Canadian documents are authenticated. Only the signatures on documents are authenticated - the contents of the documents are not reviewed or approved. However, it may not be possible to authenticate a particular document if the content of a document is such that it is expected to mislead as to purpose, or may be used for fraudulent purposes. You will be advised if this is the case.
In order to authenticate a signature the name of the person must be provided or the signature legible.
Photocopies of original documents can be authenticated. However, they must be certified true copies, signed and sealed by a Canadian lawyer, notary or commissioner of oaths. If the photocopies you send are not properly certified, signed and sealed, they will be returned to you without being authenticated.

Criminal Record Checks, Fingerprint/Clearance Certificates

As of February 1st, 2010 all criminal record checks, fingerprint/clearance certificates, and any documents originating from the RCMP, provincial or local police stations must first be notarized prior to authentication.

Translated Documents

Translated documents must be sent with the original document. If the original is written in a foreign language, you must have the document translated into English or French and then have it certified by a Canadian lawyer, notary or commissioner of oaths.
Documents (regardless of the language) can only be authenticated if they are certified, signed and sealed by a Canadian lawyer, notary or commissioner of oaths.
If the documents you send do not include a French or English copy or if documents are not properly certified, signed and sealed, they will be returned to you without being authenticated.
Please note that documents have to be translated by a certified translator.

Certificates of Birth, Marriage or Death

Original long form birth, marriage or death certificates issued by the office of vital statistics of the relevant province are authenticated.
Marriage search documents issued by the province of Ontario must be notarized.
Photocopies of birth, marriage or death certificates can be authenticated. However, they must be certified true copies, signed and sealed by a Canadian lawyer, notary or commissioner of oaths. You must ensure that the country where you are using the certificate will accept a photocopy.
Plastic, wallet-sized versions of these certificates cannot be authenticated.
Religious documents will not be authenticated regardless if they are certified, signed and sealed by a Canadian notary or commissioner of oaths. Examples include baptismal certificates, religious marriage certificates, or any documents issued by a religious institution.

Educational Documents

Only degrees or student transcripts issued by Canadian educational institutions, and recognized by the appropriate provincial Ministry of Education, are authenticated.
Canadian university or college degrees or transcripts must be signed and sealed by the relevant Office of the Registrar. A full signature, name and title must appear on the document.
Canadian high school or elementary school transcripts must be signed by the principal or vice principal of the school that issued the document(s). A full signature, name and title must appear on the document.
Photocopies of degrees and transcripts can be authenticated. However, these must be certified true copies, signed and sealed by either the relevant Office of the Registrar or a Canadian lawyer, notary or commissioner of oaths.
In the case of degrees or transcripts from foreign educational institutions, you should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the country from which the document was issued. That office will advise you of the procedures you will have to follow to have your documents authenticated.

Statements In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad

Please note that we do not process or answer any questions in relation to Statements In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad. Anyone requiring this document or having any questions as to the process or requirements must contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (JLAC) directly. The details below are provided for information purposes only as we do not provide this service nor do we answer any questions as to the process.
If you wish to get married in a country other than Canada, you may be required to obtain a Statement In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad. In order to determine whether you will require a Statement, visa, etc., you must contact the embassy, high commission or consulate in Canada of the country concerned.
A Statement In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad will require a processing time of 25 working days.
If you were born in Canada, you must submit your certified birth certificate.
If you were not born in Canada, you must submit certified true copies of your Canadian citizenship card and Record of Landing form. If you have lost your Record of Landing form, this must be mentioned in the statutory declaration of marital status.
You must provide a statutory declaration of your present marital status and indicate the name and citizenship of your future spouse. Statutory declarations can be done before a Canadian lawyer, notary or commissioner of oaths.
If you have been married before, you must submit your certified divorce certificate or divorce judgment. If you are a widow or widower you must submit a certified copy of the death certificate of your deceased spouse.
If you intend to marry in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, your certificate must be issued no more than three months before your intended marriage date.

Other documents

Legal documents must be signed and sealed by a Canadian lawyer, notary or commissioner of oaths.
Medical reports must be certified by a Canadian lawyer, notary or commissioner of oaths, or by a representative of the relevant provincial medical association. If the documents you send are not properly certified, they will be returned to you without being authenticated.
If your documents are not listed above they must be notarized before they can be authenticated.