Hague Apostille Convention
Changes to Authentication services in Canada.
On January 11, 2024, following the entry into force of the Hague Apostille Convention in Canada, documents authenticated through Official Documents Services (ODS) and destined for Hague signatory countries will now include a standard certificate called an apostille. Documents destined for Non-Hague Signatory Countries will continue to receive certificates of authentication.
The apostille eliminates steps required to get documents accepted in countries where the convention is in effect, including the legalization by a consular office of the country of destination and will make it much simpler for Canadian Public Documents to be accepted in the more than 120 countries that have signed the convention.
Notarized documents issued by an Ontario Notary Public continue to be eligible for authentication, and, in many cases are the fastest route for authentication certificates or apostilles issuance, as Official Documents Services (ODS), which is part of the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery of Ontario, provides same day walk in service in Toronto but does not have an in-house Notary Public to notarize your documents.
The fastest route to the issuance of a certificate of authentication or an apostille issuance, is to take your notarized documents, and proceed to the Toronto office (full address listed below). You will be issued either the Apostille or the Certificate of Authentication for each document within a very short waiting time on the same day.
If you do not want to go to Toronto, and are not in a hurry, you may determine eligibility of your documents through the ODS Document Authentication Portal. Once the document eligibility has been confirmed, you will be able to submit an authentication request, which may take up to 15 days.
You can mail your documents or bring them to the Toronto Office, but you need to be aware that ODS does not have an in-house Notary Public, and you may have delays in finding an available Notary Public near the Toronto Office.
ODS in Toronto is now located at 777 Bay Street, Lower Level, Toronto Ontario, and does not require an appointment.
Hague Apostille Convention Countries
More than 120 countries signed the convention.
If you are unsure if your destination country signed the Apostille Convention, please consult the list of countries that are signatories of the Apostille Convention.
Certified True Copy
Our office can make Certified True Copies of your identification documents such as your passport, birth certificate or driver's licence. We can also make Certified True Copies of foreign identification documents.
IRCC Invitation Letters & Forms
Our office can notarize Immigration Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Application forms such as IMM 0006E, IMM 0186, IMM 5409E, IMM 0151, Super Visa, Visitor Visa, Invitation Letters and more.
Consent Letter for Travel
Our office can assist you with consent Letters for travel. A consent letter should be used for all cross-border travel when a child is travelling alone, with only 1 parent or guardian, in the care of friends or relatives, with a group, such as a sports, school, musical or religious group.
Due to recent human trafficking concerns in Niagara Region, it is very important to have your consent to travel letter notarized and ready for Border Security.
Without a notarized Consent to Travel letter, you risk being turned away by Border Security.
Statutory declarations and OSAP (RAFEO)
Our office can assist you with the drafting and notarizing of declarations and Affidavits such as Affidavit of Service, Affidavit of Execution, OSAP declarations of identity, marital status, income verification, spousal support, child status, common law union and more.
Forms, Forms & more Forms
Our office can assist with many different forms such as Real Estate forms, new and used Vehicle registration and Family Gift transfer forms, Insurance loss, Wills, Power of Attorney, Request for RIN, Applications to Medical schools, Landlord and Tenant Board and Small Claims Court forms and other tribunal forms.