Frequently Asked Questions about Authenticating Documents in British Columbia

Q. How long will it take to process my documents?

A. Processing times depend on volume received and can change without notice.

Q. Can I check the status of my request?

A. It may not be possible for our office to confirm the status of your request. Please refer to your courier tracking information to see if your document was received or sent back out to you.

Q. Is there a rush service available?

A. No, but if it is urgent, please state this in your request form under Special Return Mail Service Instructions when submitting the authentication request.

Q. Can I have my documents authenticated in person?

A. No, we do not have walk-in, drop off or while-you-wait service.

Q. Is there a fee for authentication?

A. Please refer to Document Authentication Fee.

Q. Will the Government of British Columbia send my documents to a foreign embassy or consulate?

A. Yes, if you clearly indicate this in your request form under Special Return Mail Service Instructions and / or you have provided a prepaid return envelope that can be tracked.

Q. Can I send cash?

A. Cash is no longer accepted. Please refer to Document Authentication Fee for accepted payment types.

Q. Do I have to include a return envelope?

A. Your document will be sent back via regular mail to the return mailing address that you provided in your request form, unless you provide a prepaid return envelope that can be tracked. Please refer to Return Mail Service for more information.

Q. Can I track documents returned via regular mail?

A. Canada Post regular mail has no tracking.

Q. What is a prepaid envelope?

A. Please refer to Return Mail Service.

Q. Do you authenticate original documents or notarized copies?

A. This depends on what type of document you are submitting. Please refer to Preparing your Documents for Authentication.

Q. Can I send you a photocopy of my document instead of my original?

A. We do not authenticate photocopies. Depending on what type of document you are submitting, we may be able to authenticate a notarized copy. Please refer to Preparing your Documents for Authentication.

Q. Will you authenticate a document signed by a commissioner for taking affidavits for British Columbia?

A. No. See BC Notarized Documents.

Q. Do I need to send my original passport or ID with my document for authentication?

A. No. We do not require any identification to be submitted.

Q. Do I need to list all the documents on my request form or only the ones requiring authentication?

A. Only the ones requiring authentication. If a document does not require authentication, do not send it to us with your package unless instructions on this website direct you to do so. Please refer to Submitting your Documents for Authentication.

Q. What if I need to include additional items for the embassy or consulate?

A. If you are including additional items meant only for the embassy or consulate, ensure they are in a separate envelope and clearly marked as not for authentication. If your authenticated document needs to be sent directly to a foreign embassy or consulate, you must also provide mailing instructions. Please refer to Return Mail Service.

Q. Can my document authentication request be declined?

A. Yes, please refer to After Submitting Documents for Authentication.

Q. Do you authenticate documents for use in Canada?

A. No, authenticated documents are for use outside of Canada only.

Q. Do you authenticate documents for use in countries that are not a member of the Apostille Convention?

A. Yes, please refer to Apostille Convention.

Q. Do you authenticate funeral home death certificates?

A. Yes, funeral homes issue official BC Vital Statistic death certificates. Documents signed by a funeral home employee are not accepted.

Q. Do authentication certificates expire?

A. Some time limits exist, but that is up to the country, consulate, embassy or entity abroad to determine and verify.

Q. Can you make photocopies of my documents?

A. No.

Q. Can I use a waybill to get my documents returned to me?

A. Please refer to Return Mail Service.

Q. Will you stamp my original certificates/diploma?

A. We do not stamp documents. We will attach an authentication certificate by riveting it (physically attaching with hole punch and rivet) to the front of your document. The consulate or embassy may stamp or seal your document when they legalize it, if your document is for use in a country that is not a member of the Apostille Convention.

Q. Why do my documents need to be notarized before authentication?

A. Our office may not accept certain documents as originals due to the legal nature of the document and may require notarization. Please see BC Notarized Documents for more information.

Q. Why do you need my email and phone number on the request form?

A. Our office may need to contact you if there are any issues with your documents.

Q. Who can I contact if I still have questions?

A. Email: BCAuthentication@gov.bc.ca