About Certificates of Authentication

ODS formally authenticates legalized documents requested by foreign consulates and embassies. ODS authenticates notarized or commissioned:

• birth, adoption, marriage or divorce certificates;
• property ownership documents;
• school, college, or university admission papers and transcripts;
• business, commercial import-export documents and contracts dealing with incorporation, partnerships, product standards and distribution, fiscal matters, approval certificates for customs, etc.;
• certain Ontario government official documents.

The authentication of seals, stamps and signatures by ODS validates the status of a Notary Public or Commissioner for taking Affidavits appointed in the Province of Ontario. Foreign consulates and embassies request our certificates of authentication in order to accept the validity of various documents.

The ODS mandate is to verify the document submitted by comparing the signature and seal/stamp (as applicable) on the document against the information on file pertaining to the Notary Public or Commissioner for taking Affidavits. ODS does not validate the contents of any document.

ODS staff must be able to visually inspect all the relevant information on the notarized/commissioned document in its entirety in order to continue the authentication process.

Authentication will only proceed if:

• all parts of the signature, seal and/or stamp of the Notary Public or Commissioner
  for taking Affidavits are visible on the same page of the document; and
• the Notary Public or Commissioner for taking Affidavits is registered on file with ODS; and
• the name, seal and/or stamp is identical to that on file at ODS.

Fees for Authentication Services

Method of Payment

Walk-in clients:

• Cash
• VISA & Mastercard
• Debit card
• Certified cheque*
• Money order*

Mail-in:

• Certified cheque*
• Money order*

* Certified cheques and money orders are to be made payable to the Minister of Finance.

Checklist

Before presenting your documents to ODS for authentication (via mail, courier or in person), please take the time to review this checklist:

• Have you checked with your consulate/embassy to verify what is needed and that your document meets all their requirements? See contact information for Foreign embassies and consular representatives in Canada.
• Is your document notarized by a Notary Public or commissioned by a Commissioner for taking Affidavits in Ontario?
• Is the signature, seal and/or stamp of the Notary Public or Commissioner for taking Affidavits clearly displayed on the same page of your document? If not, you must have it re-notarized or re-commissioned.
• Is your document more than 7mm or ¼” thick ? If so, it should be pre-drilled with two holes on the upper left hand corner of the document to facilitate the attachment of the authentication certificate. If unsure of this process, please contact our office for clarification at (416) 325-8416.
• Have you enclosed the appropriate fee? See Fee Guide for Authentication Services above.