Question 1

What is an apostille?

Accepted Answer

An apostille is a single certificate attached to a public document that verifies the signature and seal on it, so the document is accepted in another member country without any further embassy or consular step. Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 January 2024, so Ontario documents can now be apostilled directly.

Question 2

Who issues apostilles in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Official Document Services (ODS), the branch of the Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery designated as the competent authority under the Convention. We file your documents in person at the ODS counter in Toronto rather than mailing them in.

Question 3

How fast can it be done?

Accepted Answer

Because we hand-file at the counter, a document dropped at our office before 10am can often be apostilled and back to you the same business day. Mail-in requests to ODS typically take about 15 business days.

Question 4

Does my document need to be notarized first?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the document. Government-issued records like birth, marriage and death certificates can usually be apostilled as-is. Private documents — powers of attorney, affidavits, consent letters, diplomas — generally must be notarized by an Ontario Notary Public before they can be apostilled. We handle that step in our office.

Question 5

What does the government charge?

Accepted Answer

ODS charges $16 per notarized legal document and $32 per Ontario government, court, or post-secondary document. These government fees are already included in the package price we quote you — there are no surprise line items.

Question 6

What happens for non-member countries?

Accepted Answer

If your destination has not joined the Hague Convention, an apostille is not accepted. Those documents instead need consular legalization — a longer chain through Global Affairs Canada and the destination country’s consulate. We tell you up front which path your destination actually requires.

Question 7

Do I get to keep my original documents?

Accepted Answer

Wherever the destination allows it, we apostille a certified true copy instead of the original, so your passport, degree, and birth certificate never leave your hands. When an original must be submitted, we let you know before you commit.

Question 8

What is a certified true copy?

Accepted Answer

It is a photocopy that an Ontario Notary Public has compared against your original and certified as a genuine, complete copy. The certified copy travels through the apostille process while the original stays safely with you.

Question 9

Can you help if I live outside Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ontario documents can be apostilled no matter where you live. Clients in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, London, New York, and Dubai use us regularly — everything is handled by courier and email, and your originals are returned to you.

Question 10

How long does an apostille stay valid?

Accepted Answer

An apostille does not expire — it permanently authenticates the signature and seal on the document at the time of issue. However, the underlying document may have its own validity window, and some receiving authorities ask that the apostille be recent, so check your destination’s requirements.

Item	Turnaround	Price
Standard	≈ 5 business days	$170
Next-Day Priority	1 business day	$200
Same-Day Rush	Filed today	$300
Each additional document	Filed at the same time	$50
Notarization / certified true copy	Add-on	$35 / document
ODS government fee	Set by the issuing authority	Included ($32 / document)

Simple, transparent pricing

How much does an apostille cost in Ontario?

Same-Day Rush

Next-Day Priority

Standard

What will my apostille order total?

Pricing questions

Don't let a stamp cost you the trip.