Apostille Services Canada — We Handle the Whole Process
Canada-wide concierge service for Hague Convention apostille. We collect your documents, handle notarization, submit to the right Competent Authority on your behalf, and return your authenticated documents. From any province in Canada — tracked courier both ways.
Why Cethos for Canadian Apostille
Calgary-based, Canada-wide concierge. We route documents to Global Affairs Canada or the correct provincial authority on your behalf.
Any Province in Canada
Send your documents from any city in Canada. We email you a prepaid Purolator label — drop at any counter, tracked end-to-end.
Realistic Turnaround
Total time depends on the issuing authority: ~2–3 weeks for Alberta or Saskatchewan documents, ~4 weeks for Ontario, ~4–5 weeks for federal documents through Global Affairs Canada.
Hague Convention
Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention in January 2024. Our apostilles are recognized in 120+ countries.
We Handle the Government
We submit to Global Affairs Canada or the correct provincial authority on your behalf. You never deal with government desks, paperwork, or queues.
Documents We Apostille
Personal, education, corporate, and legal documents — Canada-wide.
Personal Documents
- Birth Certificates
- Marriage Certificates
- Divorce Certificates / Decrees
- Death Certificates
- Adoption Papers
- Driver's License Copies
Education Credentials
- Diplomas & Degrees
- Academic Transcripts
- Letters of Enrollment
- TEFL/TESL Certificates
- Professional Credentials
- WES / IQAS Reports
Corporate Documents
- Articles of Incorporation
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Power of Attorney
- Commercial Invoices
- Board Resolutions
- Contracts & Agreements
Legal & Police Records
- RCMP Police Clearance
- Provincial Background Checks
- Notarized Affidavits
- Court Orders & Judgments
- Statutory Declarations
- Translated Certified Documents
Accepted Worldwide
Apostilles issued through Cethos are accepted by:
For non-Hague Convention countries, we provide full embassy legalization services through Global Affairs Canada and the destination country's consulate.
How Apostille Works
From quote to delivery — we manage the entire authentication process across every Canadian province.
Get Your Quote (60 seconds)
Upload digital copies. We confirm scope, document type, issuing province, destination country, and exact price.
We Send a Prepaid Courier Label
Emailed the same day. Drop your originals at any Purolator counter in Canada. Calgary clients can walk in to 421 7 Avenue SW, Floor 30.
We Notarize & Route to the Right Authority
In-house notarization if needed. We then submit to Global Affairs Canada (federal docs) or the correct provincial authority — Ontario, Alberta, BC, Quebec, or Saskatchewan.
The Authority Issues the Apostille
Processing time depends on the authority (typical range: 1.5–4 weeks). Government processing time is fixed and we cannot shortcut it — be wary of any service claiming same-day.
Tracked Courier Back to You
Authenticated documents return to our Calgary office, then to your address via Purolator (FedEx International for overseas). Tracking link emailed at every step.
How It Works for Clients Across Canada
Whether you are in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, or anywhere else in Canada, the process is the same: we email you a prepaid Purolator label, you drop your documents at any counter, we route them to the correct issuing authority, and we courier the authenticated documents back. All tracked, all included in the price.
Calgary clients: drop off in person at 421 7 Avenue SW, Floor 30 to save the inbound courier cost.
Sending the apostille internationally? We use FedEx International with full tracking, quoted separately based on destination country.
Turnaround by Issuing Authority
| Document path | Calgary drop-off | Out-of-Calgary (courier in + out) |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta-issued (AB authority) | 2–2.5 weeks | 2.5–3.5 weeks |
| Saskatchewan-issued (SK authority) | 1.5–2 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
| Ontario-issued (ODS Toronto, mail-in) | 3.5–4 weeks | 4–4.5 weeks |
| BC-issued (BC authority) | 3–5 weeks | 3.5–5.5 weeks |
| Quebec-issued (notarial path) | 6–8 weeks | 6.5–8.5 weeks |
| Federal / GAC (RCMP, IRCC, federal docs) | 4–5 weeks | 4.5–5.5 weeks |
Government processing time is fixed and we cannot shortcut it. Total time includes 1–3 days inbound courier and 1–3 days outbound courier where applicable.
Apostille Pricing
All-inclusive pricing. Domestic courier both ways included. Get an exact quote in 60 seconds.
| Service | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille (out-of-Calgary, courier both ways included) | From $149 | Province-dependent (see turnaround guide) |
| Apostille (Calgary drop-off, no inbound courier) | From $99 | Province-dependent (see turnaround guide) |
| Notarization Add-On | From $35 | Built into turnaround |
| Translation + Apostille Bundle | From $199 | Same as apostille turnaround |
| Multi-Document (5+ docs) | 10% off per doc | Varies by volume |
| International Return Courier | Quote on request | Adds 2–7 days |
| Embassy Legalization (non-Hague) | Quote on request | 4–8 weeks |
Prices include domestic tracked courier both ways for Canadian addresses. Government fees and embassy fees (where applicable) are billed at cost. Get an exact quote in 60 seconds.
Apostille FAQ
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document so it can be used in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Canada joined the convention in January 2024. The apostille verifies the signature, capacity of the signer, and identity of any seal or stamp on the document.
Who actually issues the apostille?
The Competent Authority for your document — Global Affairs Canada for federal documents, or your province's Authentication Office (Ontario, Alberta, BC, Quebec, or Saskatchewan) for provincial documents and notarized documents from those provinces. Cethos is your end-to-end concierge: we collect, notarize if needed, submit on your behalf, track the process, and courier the authenticated documents back. You never deal with government desks.
How long does the apostille process take?
It depends on which authority issues the apostille. Alberta and Saskatchewan are the fastest at 1.5–2 weeks. Ontario is around 3 weeks for mail-in. British Columbia is 2–4 weeks. Federal documents through Global Affairs Canada take 3–4 weeks. Quebec notarized documents take longest, 5–7 weeks total. Add 2–6 days for courier transit. Same-day apostille is not possible — be wary of any service that claims it.
I am in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal — how do I send my documents?
We email you a prepaid Purolator label after you book. Drop your originals at any Purolator counter, or schedule a free home pickup. The package is tracked from the moment it leaves your hands until it reaches our Calgary office. Then we manage everything until the apostilled documents come back to you.
Is the courier cost included?
Yes. Our pricing is all-inclusive of domestic tracked courier both ways for orders shipping within Canada. International return courier is quoted separately because rates vary by destination country.
Do I need an apostille or a translation (or both)?
It depends on the destination country. If the receiving country requires the document in a different language, you typically need a certified translation first, then apostille. We offer both services and bundle them together to save you time. Tell us where you're sending the document and we'll advise on the right path.
Which Canadian documents can be apostilled?
Most public documents issued in Canada: birth/marriage/divorce certificates, education credentials, RCMP clearances, court documents, notarized affidavits, articles of incorporation, and powers of attorney. Some private documents must be notarized first before they can be apostilled.
What if my destination country isn't in the Hague Convention?
We offer embassy legalization (also called "authentication and legalization") for countries that aren't part of the Hague Apostille Convention. The document goes through Global Affairs Canada first, then to the destination country's embassy or consulate in Canada. Timelines and fees vary by country.
Can you apostille my US-issued document?
We specialize in Canadian-issued documents. For US-issued documents (birth certificates, FBI background checks, etc.) you'll need a US apostille service that handles the relevant US Secretary of State or US Department of State. We can refer you to trusted partners.
Ready to Apostille Your Documents?
Get a quote in 60 seconds. Hague Convention apostille for Canadian documents — recognized in 120+ countries.