FAQs Archive

If you need to apostille your educational documents yourself, the process may take as little as 1 day, or as long as 4 months. You will need to determine the steps involved based on the origins of the documents, the type of documents, and the destination country. If your documents have not been prepared correctly, they will be returned to you and you will need to start over again.

IDC can expedite the process by reducing errors and mailing times. We will work with you to ensure your documents are prepared correctly and avoid costly delays. To get an estimate of how long it may take to process your documents, contact one of our specialists.

There are up to three steps to apostille your educational document for use in another country.

1. Document preparation - make sure your document meets the criteria of each step of the process.
2. Submit your document for apostille with the appropriate office in Canada.
3. If applicable - Submit your document for legalization with the appropriate embassy or consulate.

Click on the steps above for more information, or contact our friendly staff to discuss your documents. We can help to ensure your documents have been prepared correctly and expedite the process, saving you valuable time. Call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us an online enquiry.

There can be special requirements for the apostille of educational documents. The origins of the document will determine the correct apostille office to use and each apostille office has it's own rules.

For educational documents destined for non-apostille countries, each embassy or consulate sets its own unique requirements for the legalization of educational documents. Some diplomatic missions do not accept notarized copies of educational documents. You may be required to have official transcripts sent directly to the embassy or consulate. These requirements can vary depending on the type of educational document in question (i.e. University degree, transcripts, certificates, diplomas) or the rules of the destination country.

We keep track of the ever-changing requirements of over 200 diplomatic missions across Canada. Contact one of our experts to determine how to prepare your educational documents. Call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us an online enquiry.

Your educational document may need to be notarized before being apostilled (or authenticated and legalized). However, there is no one answer to this question. The requirements of the apostille process for educational documents can vary depending on the destination country and the type or origin of educational document.

For example, a University degree from an accredited Canadian University does not require notarization. However, in some cases the embassy and the recipient abroad will accept a notarized copy of a degree that is processed. That way your original University degree will remain unmarked.

Beware, when it comes to document legalization, there are certain embassies that will only accept original documents and you will need to determine that in advance to avoid costly delays.

To determine whether your documents need to be notarized prior to authentication and legalization, contact one of our experts.

A document that has an apostille will be officially recognized by any country that has signed the Hague Apostille Convention. By contrast, the legalization process certifies a document for use in one specific country. If you have a Canadian document that you need to present in several countries, you will need to determine whether these countries are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If yes, the apostille is sufficient. If not, then you will need to legalize this document separately for each of these countries.

Starting in January 2024, Canada will be able to issue apostille certificates on Canadian documents.

Contact us for more information on how to obtain a Canadian apostille. We would be happy to hear from you and answer your questions. Call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us an online enquiry.

Yes, there are many types of educational documents in Canada. Some of these include:

• University degree
• College diploma
• High School diploma
• Transcripts
• Report Cards
• Certificates (teaching, trades, experience)

We can help you with the authentication and legalization of your Canadian educational documents. Contact our friendly staff for more information.