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Apostille for immigrating abroad

A residency, visa or citizenship application in another country almost always asks for authenticated Canadian documents. Here is the bundle people usually need, how each one is routed, and the single rule that decides apostille or legalization.

The documents you'll usually need

Every destination sets its own list, but immigration files most often draw on these. Each has its own routing — start with the guide for the document you hold.

Guide

Police / RCMP check

A federal document apostilled by Global Affairs Canada — the most-requested document for visas and immigration →

 Guide

Birth certificate

Usually the long-form, which names parents — required for most citizenship and family files →

 Guide

Marriage certificate

The civil certificate from the provincial registrar — for spousal sponsorship and status →

 Guide

Degree & transcript

For skilled-worker points, licensing and credential recognition →
A medical certificate or police checks from other countries you've lived in are sometimes required too. We confirm the exact set for your destination at pre-check, so you don't pay to authenticate a document it won't use.

Apostille or legalization? The destination decides

For a Hague Apostille destination, one apostille per document is enough — no embassy step. For a non-member, documents need authentication by Global Affairs Canada and then embassy legalization. Find your destination on the by-country overview to see which applies.

A certified translation of each authenticated document is often required. The receiving authority sets the rule; we flag it before you commit.
Common questions
Which documents do I apostille for immigration?
Most often a police/RCMP check, a long-form birth certificate, a marriage certificate, and degrees or transcripts — sometimes a medical certificate. The destination sets the exact list, which we confirm at pre-check.
Apostille or embassy legalization?
It depends on the destination. Hague members accept one apostille per document; non-members need authentication at Global Affairs Canada plus embassy legalization.
Do all my documents go to the same authority?
Not necessarily — each is routed by where it was issued or notarized. A federal police check goes to Global Affairs Canada; a provincial birth certificate goes to that province's authority.
Do I need translations?
Often, for non-English/French destinations. The receiving authority sets the rule; we flag it before you commit.

Authenticate your immigration documents

Tell us your destination and the documents you hold — we'll confirm the full set, the routing for each, and a fixed all-in quote within one business day.

Free pre-check