GAC Authentication Requirements

Authenticating Canadian Documents: Guidelines and Considerations When it comes to the authentication of documents, Global Affairs Canada's Authentication Services Section focuses solely on Canadian signatures. It is important to note that the content of the document itself is not reviewed or approved by them. However, it is essential to adhere to certain guidelines and considerations

Anyone who has gone through the process of adopting a Child internationally knows it involves a long list of official supporting documents that must be provided. In addition, many if not all of these documents need to be Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada and then Legalized at the Embassy of the country you are adopting from. With such an intensive process it's important to ensure your adoption papers meet the requirements of Global

Each year Canadian professionals with Apprenticeship and Trade Certificates leave to find new work in foreign countries and to do so they first need their qualifications Authenticated at Global Affairs Canada. Any Canadian Apprenticeship or Trade Certificate needs to be Notarized by a Canadian Notary before it can be Authenticated. 

Global Affairs Canada can Authenticate all types of Canadian Bank documents for use internationally such as Bank Statements or Financial Records for Personal or Corporate reasons. To Authenticate bank documents Global Affairs Canada requires that they be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. Foreign bank documents cannot be authenticated and must follow the rules of the country where the bank does business. 

Original Canadian long form Birth Certificate issued by the Office of Vital Statistics of the relevant province/territory can be Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. This does not include Birth Certificates issued by a religious institution. Some of our clients have the plastic, wallet-sized versions of their Birth Certificate which unfortunately can not be processed. If this is you not to worry you can easily order the correct type of Canadian Birth Certificate for Authentication on our Document Resources

In order for a Burial or Cremation Document to be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada it first must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. In addition, you must also provide a copy of the Death Certificate issued by one of the provincial or territorial statistics office. Common Burial or Cremation Documents that require Authentication at Global Affairs Canada include:  Burial Permit  Cremation Certificate  Coroner’s Certificate  Funeral Home Documents but not a Proof of Death

Corporate Certificates issued by Corporations Canada that have an original signature and seal do not need to be Notarized before Authentication at Global Affairs Canada. Any other Canadian Business or Corporate Document requiring Authentication at Global Affairs Canada needs to be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. Although not often it does happen that a Canadian Business or Corporate Document is not in either English or French

Global Affairs Canada has the official signatures of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on file so Attestation or Certificates do not need to be notarized in order for them to be Authenticated. These would include:  Export Certificates  Certified Manufacturers’ Declarations   Certificates of Free Sale and Health Attestations  Certificates issued by CFIA 

As Global Affairs Canada has the official signatures and seal of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) any certificates bearing the original official signature and seal can be Authenticated. Any other type of Canadian Intellectual Property documents must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. Common documents issued by CIPO not requiring Notarization include:  Copyright Registration Certificates  Industrial Design Registration Certificates  Trademark Registration Certificates 

Only a Certificate of Free Sale issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency can be authenticated as issued. Any other types of Certificate of Free Sale must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. 

Only a Certificate of Origin signed and sealed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce can be Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada as issued. Certificate of Origins issued by a local Chamber of Commerce must be Notarized by a Canada Notary before being accepted for Authentication by Global Affairs Canada. 

Global Affairs Canada can Authenticate original Citizenship Certificates issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Citizenship certificates can also be made into a Notarized copy by a Canadian Notary then Authenticated. 

Only a College Diploma or University Degree issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The Diploma or Degree must be signed and sealed by the relevant Office of the Registrar. A full signature, name and title must appear on the Diploma or Degree. As an alternative a

College or University transcripts issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The Transcripts must be signed and sealed by the relevant Office of the Registrar. A full signature, name and title must appear on the Transcripts. As an alternative a Notarized

Only College or University Course Certificates issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The Course Certificate must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary.  

Global Affairs Canada can Authenticate Federal and Provincial Court Orders or Judgments that bear the original seal, signature and printed name of the Judge, Registrar, or Clerk of the Court in Canada do not need to be notarized. All other types of court documents must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary before Authentication. 

Criminal Record Checks issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) headquarters in Ottawa do not need to be Notarized before Authentication at Global Affairs Canada. This type of RCMP Criminal Record Check will have the official seal and digital signature of the Director General of the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services on it.

Original Canadian Death Certificates issued by the Office of Vital Statistics of the relevant province/territory can be Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. This does not include Death Certificates issued by a religious institution or funeral home.  

Global Affairs Canada can Authenticate Divorce Certificates that have the printed name and signature of the Judge, Registrar, or Clerk of the Court in Canada. As an alternative a Notarized copy of a Divorce Certificate made by a Canadian Notary can be Authenticated

Only Educational Letters issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. Educational Institution Letters must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. Common Educational Institution Letters that require Authentication include:  Acceptance Letter  Admission Letters  Confirmation of Registration Letter  Enrollment Letter  Record of Attendance Letter 

Elementary or High School Diploma issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The Elementary or High School Diploma must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. 

Elementary or High School Transcripts issued by a Canadian educational institution recognized by the appropriate provincial/territorial ministries of education, can be Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The Elementary or High School Transcripts must be Notarized by a Canadian Notary. 

Documents such as the ones listed below issued by the Government of Canada or by a Provincial or Territorial Government need to be Notarized by a Canadian Notary before Authentication at Global Affairs Canada. These include:  Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Documents  Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Certificate of Residency Tax  Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Certificate  Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Statement  Old Age Security Letter 

Global Affairs Canada can Authenticate the signature of a Diplomatic or Consular Officer from a Foreign Embassy Consulate located in Canada. 

Global Affairs Canada can Authenticate a Notarized copy of a Canadian Identity Document made by a Canadian Notary. Common Canadian Identity Documents that require Authentication include:  Drivers License  Employee identification issued by the Federal, Provincial or Territorial government  ID card issued by the Federal, Provincial or Territorial government  Passport