| Document type | Court document (adoption order / judgment) and related records |
| Preparation | A certified copy from the court, or a notarized certified true copy, so the signature can be verified |
| Government fee | $0 (Global Affairs Canada) up to $66.50 (Québec), at cost |
| What gets apostilled | The certified adoption order, and any related vital certificates |
What the apostille does — and doesn't — do
An apostille authenticates the signature and seal on your adoption order so a foreign authority will accept the document. It does not decide the adoption's legal effect abroad. Intercountry adoption is governed by a separate framework (the 1993 Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention) and your provincial adoption authority — we authenticate the paperwork; the adoption itself is handled with those bodies.
A sensitive file, handled with care. Adoption documents are usually court records, so they need a certified copy from the issuing court (or a notarized certified true copy) before the apostille. We often apostille the adoption order together with the child's birth certificate; we confirm the exact set your destination requires at pre-check.
Which Canadian authority handles it
The authority is decided by where the document was issued or notarized — never by where you live now.
- Québec records and notarizations → Québec's designated authority. Québec notarizations are verified by the Chambre des notaires first, so build in lead time.
- Ontario → Official Document Services; British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan → each province's own authority, usually on a notarized certified true copy.
- All other provinces and territories, plus federal documents → Global Affairs Canada (no government fee, roughly 20 business days).
See each authority's fee and timeline on the by-province overview, or start the free pre-check and we'll confirm the exact routing for your document and destination.
A certified translation of the apostilled documents is commonly required for non-English/French destinations. The receiving authority sets the rule; we flag it at pre-check.
Common questions
Does an apostille make my adoption valid abroad?
No. It authenticates the signature and seal on the document so it's accepted as genuine. The adoption's legal effect is governed by the receiving country, the 1993 Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention and your provincial adoption authority.
Which documents get apostilled?
Usually the certified adoption order, often together with the child's birth certificate. We confirm the exact set your destination requires at pre-check.
Which authority apostilles them?
The one covering the province where the documents were issued or notarized: Québec, Ontario, BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan each have their own; all others go to Global Affairs Canada.
Do I need a translation?
Commonly, for non-English/French destinations. The receiving authority sets the rule; we flag it before you commit.
Apostille adoption documents
Tell us the destination and the documents you hold — we'll confirm the set, arrange court certification, and send a fixed all-in quote within one business day.
Free pre-check