Common reasons you need documents for Canada
Permanent residence and immigration filings, work permits, study permits, marriage, and professional licensing in Canada.
Documents and who authenticates them
Birth, marriage, and divorce records apostilled by the issuing state, diplomas and transcripts apostilled by the issuing state, and FBI background check results apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
Step by step from Oregon
- Confirm with the Canadian office, school, or employer whether it wants an apostille under the new rules.
- Order certified copies of the records you need, or have documents notarized.
- Send state documents to the issuing state's Secretary of State, and FBI results to the U.S. Department of State.
- Submit the apostilled documents with your Canadian application.
Translation
English-language documents are generally fine in most of Canada. Quebec often requires a French translation, sometimes by a certified translator recognized there.
Good to know
- Because Canada's accession is recent, some Canadian offices may still ask for the old authentication process. Point them to the Convention, or ask them to confirm in writing.
- Heading to Canada? We also take Canadian passport photos at 50 x 70 mm.
Moving to Canada: which route, and what it needs
Requirements differ by route and change without notice, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with the consulate or your immigration attorney.
- Work and employment. Canadian work and permanent residence applications commonly require police certificates and educational credential assessments. Canada has accepted apostilles since January 11, 2024.
- Business, investor, and self-employment. Company formation, investor permits, and self-employment routes typically need authenticated corporate documents, powers of attorney so someone can act for you locally, and a background check.
- Remote work and digital nomad routes. Where a remote-work route exists, applications usually require proof of foreign income, health insurance, and an authenticated background check. Confirm whether the route is currently open before you build a document pack around it.
- Retirement and passive income. Retirement routes generally require an authenticated background check, proof of pension or investment income, health insurance, and often apostilled birth and marriage certificates.
- Family, marriage, and children. Marriage abroad, family reunification, and registering a child usually need apostilled birth and marriage certificates, and sometimes a single-status or no-impediment document.
- Study. Universities and student permits typically ask for apostilled diplomas and transcripts, and a background check for longer programs.
Document timeline
These are our turnaround times for the steps we handle. Government processing and consulate appointments are set by those offices.
- Fingerprinting and FBI background check — Submitted within 30 minutes of
your appointment
We capture your prints and submit the request through our channeler partners. The FBI controls how quickly results come back. - Notarization, if your documents need it — Same day
Powers of attorney, affidavits, and copies that need a notary before authentication are handled at your appointment, in our office or at your location. - Apostille or authentication courier service — 10 to 15 business
days
We prepare and courier the request to the right office: the U.S. Department of State for FBI results, or a state Secretary of State for state-issued documents. - Certified translation — 2 to 3 business days
Ordered after the apostille when the receiving country wants the apostille page translated too. Some countries require their own sworn translator, and we tell you when that applies. - Your consulate appointment — Set by the consulate
Book early. Appointment backlogs, not document preparation, are usually what delays a move.
Finding the Canada consulate that covers Oregon
Each Canada consulate in the United States covers specific states, and you generally have to file with the one that covers Oregon. Check the consulate's own website for its jurisdiction, appointment system, and current document checklist, because those differ by post and change without notice.
The U.S. State Department publishes the official directory of foreign consular offices in the United States, which is the reliable place to find current addresses and contact details rather than a third-party list.
U.S. State Department: Foreign Consular Offices in the United States
We don't book consulate appointments or file applications. We prepare, notarize, translate, and courier the documents you take to that appointment.
How we help with your move to Canada
One team handles the document chain, so you make one call instead of coordinating four businesses against one deadline.
- Fingerprinting and FBI background checks
Captured at our Beaverton office or at your location, submitted within 30 minutes. $135, or $350 with the federal apostille package.
- Notary and witnesses
Powers of attorney, affidavits, and consent letters notarized before they go for authentication. $10 per signature at our office.
- Apostille courier service
Prepared and couriered to the Oregon Secretary of State, another state, or the U.S. Department of State. $125 to $195 per Oregon document.
- Certified translation
$65 per document, $75 with a notarized certificate, in 2 to 3 business days. We tell you when the destination requires its own sworn translator instead.
- Passport photos and shipping
Photos sized for the country you're applying to, and tracked international shipping for the finished documents.
We are notaries and a private document facilitator, not attorneys or immigration consultants. We can't choose a visa route, complete application forms, or advise on eligibility. For that, talk to an immigration attorney or the consulate.
Our prices for documents going to Canada
- Oregon apostille courier serviceNotary fee is separate. Documents not in English need a certified translation before we can notarize them.$125–$195per document
- Birth certificate apostille courier serviceNeeds a certified copy from the issuing vital records office.$125–$195
- Power of attorney apostille courier serviceNotary fee is separate.$125–$195
- Notary feeCharged per notarial act. This is Oregon's maximum notary fee.$10per signature and stamp
Our fees are for our document authentication facilitator and courier service. See all prices.
Questions about documents for Canada
Does Canada accept apostilles now?
Yes. The Apostille Convention took effect for Canada on January 11, 2024, replacing authentication and legalization for most public documents.
Do I need a French translation for Quebec?
Often yes. Quebec offices commonly require French, sometimes by a certified translator recognized in Quebec.
Do you take Canadian passport photos?
Yes. Canadian passport photos are 50 x 70 mm and include the photographer's details and date on the back. They're $45.
Related country guides
Where we serve Canada clients
Documents for Canada are handled at our Beaverton office or by mobile appointment across the Portland metro area.
Last updated 2026-09-10. Requirements change, so confirm with the office receiving your documents.