| Document type | Private document (you sign it) |
| Notarization | Required — signed before a Canadian notary, who certifies your signature |
| Government fee | $0 (Global Affairs Canada) up to $66.50 (Québec), at cost |
| What gets apostilled | The notarized power of attorney (the notary's signature is what the apostille verifies) |
Notarize first, then apostille
A power of attorney is a private document, so an apostille can't go on it directly — a Canadian notary has to witness and certify your signature first. The apostille then verifies the notary. The authority is set by the province where it was notarized.
Match the destination's expectations. Many countries want a power of attorney drafted to their own law, with specific wording, the attorney's full details, or a fixed validity period. Confirm the exact form with the person, lawyer or notary receiving it abroad before signing — we then arrange the Canadian notarization and apostille around that. We coordinate licensed professionals; we don't provide legal advice or draft the legal content for you.
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 is often required for non-English/French destinations, sometimes bound with the apostilled original. The receiving authority sets the rule; we flag it at pre-check.
Common questions
Why does a power of attorney need a notary?
Because it's a document you sign privately. An apostille verifies an official signature, so a Canadian notary certifies your signature first; the apostille then verifies the notary.
Which authority apostilles it?
The one for the province where it was notarized: Québec, Ontario, BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan each have their own; all others go to Global Affairs Canada.
Can you write the power of attorney for me?
We coordinate the notarization and apostille, but we don't provide legal advice or draft the legal content. Confirm the required wording with the lawyer or notary receiving it abroad, then we handle the authentication.
Do I need a translation?
Often, for non-English/French destinations — sometimes bound with the apostilled original. The receiving authority sets the rule; we flag it at pre-check.
Apostille a power of attorney
Tell us the destination and what it's for — we'll arrange the notarization, confirm the routing, and send a fixed all-in quote within one business day.
Free pre-check