Ontario Simplifying Process to Authenticate Official Documents Such as Birth Certificates Required for International Use

OTTAWA — The Ontario government is making it easier and more convenient for people and businesses to authenticate documents such as birth certificates, corporate powers of attorney and diplomas for use outside of Canada. The province is expanding this vital service to four additional ServiceOntario locations across the province.

In-person document authentication services are now available in:

• Ottawa: 110 Laurier Avenue West
• Sault Ste. Marie: 101-420 Queen Street East
• Thunder Bay: 113-435 James Street South
• Windsor: 205-400 City Hall Square East

“Whether someone is preparing for a major life event, a new job or an adventure abroad, authenticating documents for international use is often a crucial and time-sensitive matter,” said Kaleed Rasheed, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. “Expanding this service to four additional ServiceOntario locations across the province is yet another example of our government putting customers first and saving people time and money.”

When a public document is to be used in another country, proof of authentication for documents such as birth and marriage certificates, educational diplomas and corporate documents is often required for people doing business, studying, or travelling abroad, people applying for international visas or people participating in international adoptions.

This expansion of authentication services adds to the services already available in-person and by mail at the Official Documents Services office located at 222 Jarvis Street in Toronto, and helps better serve the millions of Ontarians who live outside of the Greater Toronto Area.

This change enables more individuals and businesses to have their documents authenticated via same-day service in addition to our standard mail-in options which often require up to 15 business days to complete.

Expanding services also lays the groundwork to respond to an anticipated surge of document authentication requests as a result of Canada joining the Hague Apostille Convention in January 2024. Once the Convention comes into effect, the province will be solely responsible for authenticating Ontario-issued public documents.

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