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Apostille for a marriage certificate

Sponsoring a spouse, changing a name, claiming a pension or proving your marriage abroad usually means apostilling a Canadian marriage certificate. Here is which document counts, who issues it, and how it gets apostilled.

Document typeCivil vital record (provincial)
NotarizationOften not needed on a recent government-issued certified copy; otherwise a notarized certified true copy
Government fee$0 (Global Affairs Canada) up to $66.50 (Québec), at cost
What gets apostilledThe government-issued certificate, or a notarized certified true copy of it

The one mistake that gets marriage documents refused

A church, mosque, temple or officiant's certificate is not the civil record. Authorities apostille the marriage certificate issued by the provincial vital-statistics registrar — in Québec, the Directeur de l'état civil.

Use this

Government civil certificate

The certificate or certified copy of the act of marriage issued by the province where you married. It carries the registrar's signature and seal — the thing an apostille verifies.

Not on its own

Religious / officiant certificate

A keepsake from the ceremony. It is not the registered civil record and is a common reason documents bounce. If it is all you have, the registered certificate has to be ordered first — we can arrange it.

Protect your original. Where a destination wants the apostille on a copy, a notarized certified true copy keeps your sealed original certificate in your hands. We confirm which form your destination accepts 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.
Many destinations also require a certified translation of the apostilled certificate. Whether you need one — and into which language — is set by the receiving authority; we flag it before you commit so nothing comes back.
Common questions
Is my church marriage certificate enough?
Usually no. The apostille goes on the civil marriage certificate issued by the provincial registrar (in Québec, the Directeur de l'état civil), not on a religious or officiant certificate.
Does it need to be notarized first?
Often not. A recent government-issued certified copy can frequently be apostilled directly. A notarized certified true copy is used when the authority cannot verify the signature or when you want the apostille on a copy to protect the original.
Which authority apostilles it?
Whichever covers the province that issued or notarized it: Québec, Ontario, BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan each have their own; everything else goes to Global Affairs Canada.
Do I need a translation?
Often, for non-English/French destinations. The receiving authority sets the rule; we tell you whether a certified translation is required before you commit.

Apostille your marriage certificate

Upload a scan and tell us the destination — we'll confirm whether it needs notarization, the exact routing, and a fixed all-in quote within one business day.

Free pre-check