The steps of the Canadian document apostille process are determined by the location of where your documents were issued.
To determine the steps of the Quebec document apostille process requires an understanding of the requirements of the Canadian authority who is responsible for apostilles. Throughout this article, we will strive to explain the role of the Quebec apostille office, as well as the purpose of apostilles on Canadian documents.
What is a document apostille?
Document apostille is a type of certification that confirms the authenticity of a document and the signatures contained therein, so that the document will be officially recognized in other apostille signatory countries. Any country that has signed the Hague Apostille Convention, including Canada, will issue apostille certificates and in turn, recognize apostille certificates issued by other member countries.
If the country where you will use your documents is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents will require an additional step of document legalization. You may find more about document legalization from our website here: Canadian document legalization.
Who can apostille a document in Quebec?
Quebec issued or notarized documents can be apostilled by the Quebec apostille office. Some examples of these documents include original Quebec vital statistics documents (such as birth, marriage, and death certificates), Quebec degrees and diplomas, and notarized documents executed by a Quebec Notary. Note that documents notarized in Quebec must first be certified by the Chambre des Notaires du Quebec.
The Quebec document apostille process is done through the Quebec Ministry of Justice – Apostille office, located in Montreal, Quebec. The processing time is typically ten business days, plus mail time (documents are returned through regular mail only). The Quebec apostille fee is sixty-five dollars per document.
Quebec document apostilles cannot be obtained in person, as only mail-in applications will be accepted. You will complete the online request form and pay the apostille fee through the Quebec Ministry website. Be sure to print a copy of the form and payment receipt to include with your documents for apostille.
Please ensure that your documents meet the criteria for apostille in advance. Any errors or omissions will result in a rejected application. Therefore, we suggest a thorough review of their website prior to submitting your documents.
Where else can you apostille a document in Canada?
There are several offices in Canada who can apostille a document in Canada. Each office is responsible for documents from a certain jurisdiction.
Global Affairs Canada is responsible for issuing apostilles for Canadian documents originating from the Government of Canada and the provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon.
The government offices in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan are responsible for issuing apostilles for documents that originate from (or are notarized in) their jurisdiction.
Each of the government authorities described above who are responsible for issuing apostilles, can issue apostilles on Canadian documents that fall under their jurisdiction. Be sure to research the apostille requirements in advance, so that your documents are accepted.
How can we help with Quebec document apostilles?
Whether you are looking for more information, or you would like assistance with the Quebec document apostille process, we can help. We can support you with the entire process from start to finish.
We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your Quebec documents and answer your questions. Call us toll free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us your questions through our quick Contact form. Our friendly staff will get back to you right away!
