How to Get a Document Apostille in Quebec

Getting an apostille in Quebec is nowhere near as complicated as it used to be. The Ministère de la Justice du Québec now handles this directly, checking your documents and issuing the certificate that confirms the signatures and stamps on them are genuine.

Before this system existed, Quebec residents had to route their paperwork through Global Affairs Canada first, then go through embassy legalization on top of that. Since Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention, that entire system has changed. Document verification is now decentralized, and Quebec has its own dedicated authority to issue apostilles directly.

This makes the process simpler and much faster than before. You no longer need to go through multiple offices just to get one document verified. Keep reading to find out which documents qualify, how to prepare them, and the exact steps to get your apostille from Quebec.

An apostille is a certificate attached to a document to confirm it is genuine. It confirms that the signature, seal, or stamp on the document is real and belongs to the person or body who issued it.

You need a Canada apostille when a foreign country, a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, asks you to prove that a Canadian document is authentic before they accept it. This comes up often during immigration, overseas jobs, studying abroad, international marriage, or business dealings outside Canada.

As you go through this process, you will come across a few terms. This is what they mean.

• Notarization: This is when a notary or lawyer confirms that a document is real, that a signature on it is genuine, or that a copy matches the original. The notary adds their own signature and seal to show this.
• Certified Copy: This is a copy of a document that has been marked and signed by an authorized person, confirming it is a true copy of the original. It is used when you cannot or do not want to send the original.
• True Copy: This means the same thing as a certified copy. It is a copy that has been checked and confirmed to match the original document exactly, with no changes.

Who Issues Apostilles in Quebec?

In Quebec, apostilles are issued by the Ministère de la Justice du Québec. This is the only body responsible for apostilling documents from Quebec.

Where you send your documents depends on where they were notarized, not just where you live. If your document was notarized in Alberta, Ontario, or Saskatchewan, you send it to that province's own apostille authority, even if the original document was issued in Quebec.

In Quebec, the rule works differently. The authorities here can only apostille a notarized document if the original document was also issued in Quebec. If the original was issued somewhere else, you will need to send it to Global Affairs Canada instead.

Conditions to Get an Apostille in Quebec

• The document must be issued in Quebec.
• It should be an original or a certified true copy, issued only by the authorized issuing authorities in Quebec. Check further information here!

Quebec allows four main types of documents, and each one has its own way of getting ready for the process.

Documents That Cannot Be Apostilled

• Driver's licence
• Social insurance number
• Passport

These documents cannot get an apostille because of their format. If sent, they will be returned to you without an apostille. Do not include them in your request.

Language Requirements

If your document is written in a language other than French or English, it needs an extra step. A lawyer or notary must produce an official certificate for it.

In this certificate, the lawyer or notary must either confirm that they understand the document's content themselves, or attach a translation done by a translator who is a member of OTTIAQ (Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec).

Step 1: Fill Out the Application Form

Complete the apostille request form with your details and information about the documents you are sending.

Step 2: Choose How You Will Pay

The apostille fee is $66.50 CAD per document. If you are sending multiple documents, the cost adds up accordingly. You can pay the fee online using a credit card, or you can send a money order or bank draft made payable to the Register Fund of the Ministère de la Justice. Personal cheques are not accepted under any circumstance.

Step 3: Print the Form

Print out your completed form. Do not staple it to your documents, this can damage them during processing. Only the apostille certificate can be attached to the documents.

Step 4: Organize Your Documents

If you are apostilling more than one document, group the documents that belong to the same request together. This keeps things clear and avoids mix-ups while your request is being handled.

Step 5: Pack Everything in a Proper Envelope

Use an envelope that is large enough to hold your documents without folding or bending them. Because damaged documents can cause delays or rejection.

Step 6: Mail your Form and Documents

Send your completed form along with the original documents to the address below.

Délivrance des apostilles

How You Will Get Your Documents Back

By default, your apostilled documents are mailed back to you through regular mail. This method does not come with a tracking number, so there is no way to track it while it is in transit.

If you want more control over the return delivery, you can arrange your own courier or use Canada Post's expedited shipping. This costs extra and the responsibility is entirely yours. If you choose this option, all the following costs have to be covered by you:

• Shipping cost, along with any customs fees.
• Pickup fee at the office, if any.

You need to include a prepaid shipping label and a return envelope with your request. The envelope should be at least 8.5 x 11 inches so your documents do not need to be folded. Also, keep a note of your tracking number so you can follow the delivery yourself.

The Ministère de la Justice does not cover any part of this return shipping cost. If your envelope does not have enough postage paid, it will be sent back to you through regular mail instead.

A few common reasons we have seen, mostly due to mistakes made by applicants, are listed below:

Document is Too Old to Validate

If your document was issued many years ago, or its format, seal, or signature style has since changed, the authority may not be able to confirm it is genuine. The Ministère de la Justice du Québec website suggests using a document that is as recent as possible. Some countries also have their own rules on how old a document can be, so it is best to verify it beforehand.

Document Was Issued Outside Quebec

Quebec can only apostille documents that fall under its own jurisdiction. If your document was actually issued in another province or at the federal level, it needs to go to that province's authority or to Global Affairs Canada instead.

Document Has Been Altered in Any Way

Any changes, corrections, or markings that were not part of the original document can cause it to be rejected. Lamination or glue can damage the document and make it hard to verify, so documents in this condition are not accepted either.

Document is Not an Original or a Certified True Copy.

A regular photocopy or a printed scan will not work. You need either the real original or a copy that has been properly certified.

We understand that the Canadian apostille process can get a bit too technical, with different document requirements, certification steps, and rules depending on where your document was issued or notarized. It is easy to get confused along the way.

At Globeia, we understand the specific apostille requirements of all Canadian provinces and territories, including Quebec. This ensures a smooth and efficient process for you from start to finish. We coordinate directly with the Ministère de la Justice du Québec for the apostille of your documents, so you do not have to deal with the entire process yourself.

Why People Trust Globeia

• User friendly online application. You can start and manage your request from anywhere, without needing to figure out confusing government forms on your own.
• Proper and strict review of your documents before submission. We check your documents carefully before sending them to the authority, so avoidable mistakes do not lead to delays or rejection.
• Notarization services are also available. If your document needs notarization first, we can connect you with authorized public notaries in Quebec.
• Clear communication throughout. You are kept in the loop at every stage of the process, so you always know where things stand.
• Transparent pricing structure. No hidden charges or surprise fees. You know what you are paying for upfront.
• Secure delivery to your doorstep. Once your documents are apostilled, they are delivered safely to your address in Quebec.

Start your Apostille Quebec Application Here!

Once you or someone else receives an apostilled document, you might want to confirm it is real. Quebec has a free online tool for exactly this, called the Apostille Register. This is especially useful if you are on the receiving end of a document and want to make sure it is legitimate before accepting it.

Step 1: Visit the Quebec government's apostille page.

Step 2: On the left side menu, look for the option called "Apostille Register" and click on it.

Step 3: This takes you to a separate portal built just for verifying apostilles.

Step 4: Type in the date your apostille was issued. This is printed directly on the apostille certificate.

Step 5: Add the apostille number, which is also printed on the certificate itself.

Step 6: Once both fields are filled in, submit the form to see the result. Both fields are required, the tool will not run a search if either one is missing.

This tool only confirms that the apostille itself is genuine. It does not verify the content of the original document. If you run into any trouble while searching the register, Quebec also provides a support email through the same portal, so you are not stuck if something does not work as expected.

There is a reason so many people leave their apostille until the last minute, and it usually comes down to one thing. It feels like a formality, something you assume will just work itself out once you get to it. But documents like birth certificates or diplomas were never made with international use in mind, which is exactly why a stamp of verification becomes necessary in the first place. It is a small reminder that paperwork rarely stays simple once it crosses a border.

And if the process starts feeling like more admin work than you signed up for, Globeia is around to take care of it while you focus on the part that actually matters to you.