Notary service by appointment
Apostille & Authentication
Sending documents abroad? We provide the in-person, wet-ink notarization that foreign authorities require, and we guide you through the Apostille and Global Affairs Canada authentication steps that follow.
This service must be completed in person. You can book a mobile visit online and have the notary come to your home, hospital, care residence, or office in the Ottawa area. Office appointments are still available by phone.
- Posted price
- $24.95 + HST
- Appointment length
- 15-25 minutes
- Where
- By appointment
If more than one person is signing, an additional signer fee also applies.
Quick answer
Apostille & Authentication must be handled in person — it cannot be completed over an online video appointment. The rate is $24.95 per seal + HST. You can book a mobile visit online; a $60 travel fee is charged once per trip, or call (613) 434-5555 for an office appointment. Most appointments take 15-25 minutes.
Written by Kai Mai, Content Editor, Minute Notary. General information, not legal advice.
- Posted price
- $24.95 + HST
- Appointment length
- 15-25 minutes
- Where
- By appointment
- Hours
- 7 days a week, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Also searched as: apostille Ottawadocument authentication OttawaGlobal Affairs Canada authenticationapostille Canadanotarization for foreign uselegalization documents OttawaHague Convention apostille Canadanotary public Ottawa
Why it matters
Why Do Documents Going Abroad Need This?
A notarial seal on its own is recognized in Canada, but foreign governments cannot verify an individual Canadian notary.
The authentication chain solves that: the notary's seal is confirmed by a competent authority, and then either an Apostille certificate (for the 120-plus Hague Convention countries, including Canada since January 11, 2024) or embassy legalization makes the document acceptable abroad. If any link is missing or done out of order, the receiving authority will reject the document — a costly delay when it is tied to a visa, a marriage, a property purchase, or a job overseas. Getting the notarization right, with a proper wet-ink seal, and submitting to the correct authority is what keeps an international document moving.
What is apostille & authentication?
Documents used in another country usually have to pass through a chain: first a notarization by an Ontario Notary Public, then authentication by a competent authority (in Canada this is Global Affairs Canada or a provincial Official Document Services office), and — for countries that joined the Hague Apostille Convention, which Canada implemented on January 11, 2024 — an Apostille certificate.
We handle the first link in that chain: verifying your identity, witnessing your signature or certifying the document, and applying a wet-ink notarial seal that foreign embassies and authorities will accept. Because foreign authorities and the authentication process are built around original physical seals, this work is done in person at our Ottawa office, not over video. We also explain what your destination country requires so you submit to the right authority in the right order and avoid a rejected package.
Related services you may need:
What to bring
Requirements to bring with you
Please ensure you have the following items when you visit.
- 01The original document, or an UNSIGNED document if a signature must be witnessed
- 02Valid government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or Ontario Photo Card)
- 03The destination country and, if known, the receiving authority
- 04Any instructions from the receiving party about Apostille or authentication
How to get apostille & authentication notarized
Straightforward process. Most appointments completed in minutes once we're face to face.
- 1
Tell Us the Destination
Call to book an in-person appointment and tell us which country the document is for. That determines whether you need an Apostille or authentication and legalization.
- 2
Identity Verification
Present your valid government-issued photo ID. The notary verifies your identity before any document is signed or certified.
- 3
Notarization with Wet-Ink Seal
The notary witnesses your signature or certifies the document and applies an original wet-ink seal and signature. The receiving authority decides whether it accepts the document.
- 4
Authentication or Apostille Guidance
We explain the next step — an Apostille for Hague Convention countries, or authentication by Global Affairs Canada plus embassy legalization for others — and which authority to submit to.
- 5
Submit to the Competent Authority
You submit the notarized document to the appropriate authority for the Apostille or authentication. We can point you to the correct office and current process.
Is This For You?
Who Needs This Service
This service is commonly needed by the following groups.
- 01
People Marrying Abroad
Single status declarations and supporting documents usually need notarization plus an Apostille or authentication before a foreign registry will accept them.
- 02
Workers & Students Overseas
Diplomas, transcripts, and police checks used for jobs or study abroad require a notarized, then authenticated or apostilled, copy.
- 03
International Property Buyers
Powers of attorney and declarations for property purchased in another country must be notarized and authenticated for foreign use.
- 04
Businesses Expanding Abroad
Corporate documents for foreign registration or contracts often need a notarial seal followed by authentication or an Apostille.
- 05
Families with Foreign Filings
Inheritance, pension, and civil-status documents destined for another country routinely need this notarization-and-authentication chain.
What's Included
- In-person, wet-ink notarial seal for international use
- Identity verification and witnessed signing
- Guidance on Apostille vs. authentication and legalization
- Direction to the correct competent authority
- Notarization of documents in any language
- Translator declarations notarized where needed
- Flat $24.95 per seal — no international surcharge
Common Uses
- Documents for Hague Convention countries (Apostille)
- Documents for non-Hague countries (authentication + legalization)
- Powers of attorney for use abroad
- Certified copies headed overseas (made in person)
- Educational and professional credentials for foreign use
- Single status declarations to marry abroad
- Corporate documents for foreign registration
- Affidavits and declarations for foreign authorities
Pro tips before your visit
Quick tips to make your appointment go smoothly.
Know the Destination First
Hague Convention countries take an Apostille; others need authentication plus embassy legalization. The destination country decides the path — tell us before your appointment.
Ask the Receiving Party
Foreign authorities sometimes have specific wording or format requirements. Confirm what they need before you book so the notarization matches.
Originals for Certified Copies
If you need a certified copy headed overseas, bring the original document so the notary can compare and certify it in person.
Plan for Processing Time
Authentication and Apostille processing takes time at the government level. Start early — the notarization is fast, but the steps after it are not instant.
Where it gets done
Apostille & Authentication: where and how it gets done
Apostille & Authentication is handled by an Ontario Notary Public and Commissioner for Taking Affidavits. Here is where it gets done.
- Office
- 8056 Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard North, Ottawa, Ontario. Walk in by appointment; same-day slots most days.
- Mobile visits
- A notary comes to your home, hospital, care residence or office across the Ottawa area for one travel fee per trip.
- In person
- This document is completed in person, at the office or on a mobile visit. It is not available over a video appointment.
- Hours
- Open 7 days a week, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, including Saturday and Sunday.
Transparent pricing
$24.95 + HST. Every fee shown before you pay.
The price you see is what you pay at the counter. HST applies. If more than one person is signing, an additional signer fee also applies.
Mobile visits are paid online: HST plus a small card processing fee, shown in full before you pay. The travel fee is charged once per trip, not per document.
See the full price breakdown, HST and card fee includedPricing details
- $24.95
First stamp / seal
Per document
- $24.95
Each additional stamp / seal
Each additional stamp
Ready when you are. Same-day slots available 7 days a week.
We provide the notarization step. The Apostille certificate and authentication/legalization are issued by Global Affairs Canada or the relevant provincial Official Document Services office, and any embassy legalization is handled by that country’s consulate — those government fees and processing times are separate from our flat per-seal rate. We can guide you on the process but do not issue Apostilles ourselves.
FAQs
Common questions about apostille & authentication
If your question is not here, .
Read more on the blog
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How to Apostille a Document in Ontario: The Full 2026 Process
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Apostille vs Notarization: What's the Difference?
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Book today
Ready to book your apostille & authentication?
$24.95 per seal + HST. 15-25 minutes. Book a mobile visit online; the $60 travel fee is charged once per trip, or call for an office appointment.
Apostille & Authentication
$24.95 + HST · +$60 travel / trip