Apostille services
An apostille is a certificate that lets a Canadian document be recognized in other countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention. We handle the notarization, prepare your documents, and can manage the whole process for you — degrees, health or school records, declarations, marriage certificates, identity documents and more.
How a document gets apostilled
1 · Notarize
We notarize your document or certify a true copy, in person, with wet ink and seal.
2 · Prepare & submit
The paper original is submitted to the Governing Authority that holds the notary's signature and seal on record.
3 · Apostille issued
The Governing Authority verifies the notary's signature and seal and attaches the apostille.
4 · Use abroad
Your document is ready for use in any member country.
Choose your level of service
Do as much or as little yourself as you like.
| Item | Apostille Notarization | Document Authentication | Full Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notarization or certified copy | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Request form completed for you | — | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Submission to the Governing Authority | You submit | ✓ Included | ✓ We submit |
| Pick-up and return to you | — | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Our fee | $49.99 + HST | $75 | $199.99 + HST |
Fees charged by the Governing Authority are separate and vary by document type; we'll confirm them before you book. Processing times are set by the Governing Authority.
The Document Authentication process
Authentication confirms that the signature and seal on your document are genuine, so a foreign government or organization will accept it. The Governing Authority checks the signature and seal against its records — it does not review or approve what the document says.
- 1
Notarization, if needed. Documents not issued by a government body — such as declarations, letters or copies — are notarized first, so they carry a signature and seal the Governing Authority can verify.
- 2
Authentication. We complete the authentication request and check that the full signature and seal sit on the same page, as the Governing Authority requires.
- 3
Submitted to the Governing Authority. The paper original is submitted with the request and the Governing Authority's fee.
- 4
Verified and certified. The Governing Authority matches the signature and seal to its records, then attaches an apostille (Convention countries) or a certificate of authentication (other countries).
- 5
Returned — or sent on for legalization. The authenticated document comes back to you. For non-Convention countries, it may next go to that country's embassy or consulate for legalization.
Where is the document going?
Apostille Convention country
Most destinations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, most of Europe and many others. One apostille is all you need.
Non-member country
The document gets a certificate of authentication instead, and may then need legalization by that country's embassy or consulate. We'll tell you which applies.
What you need to bring
Apostilles are only issued on paper originals — electronic copies can't be authenticated.
- The original document — degree, transcript, certificate, record or declaration.
- Government photo ID for the person signing or presenting the document.
- The destination country and the organization's instructions.
- A certified translation, if the document isn't in English or French.
- Your deadline, so we can plan the right submission route.
Sending documents abroad?
Email info@benefitclaims.ca with the document type and destination, and we'll recommend a service level.