List of authorities recognized by the Ministère for certifying documents

The Ministère applies rules concerning document requirements. These requirements pertain to the nature, format and, if applicable, the translation of documents to be submitted.

A certified true copy is one of the requirements. This means that the copy of the document that you submit must mandatorily be certified true to the original either by the issuer of the document or by a recognized authority from the country or territory that issued the document.

Procedure

To find the recognized authorities, select the country or territory where your documents were issued.

If the country or territory is not on the list, you will be directed to the section “Other countries or territories.”

Açores Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Anegada Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Ascension Island Australia Austria Azerbaïjan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bequia Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire Bora Bora Bosnia-Herzegovina Botswana Brazil British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canary Islands Canouan Cape Verde Carriacou Island Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Channel Islands Chile China (People’s Republic of) Colombia Comoros Island Congo (Democratic Republic of) Congo (Republic of) Cook Islands Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Easter Island Egypt El Salvador England Equador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guyana French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Great Britain Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Johnston Atoll Jordan Jost Van Dyke Kazakhstan Kenya Kirghizistan Kiribati Kosrae Kuwait Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia Madagascar Madeira Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marianas Islands Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayreau Mexico Micronesia Midway Island Moldavia Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Mustique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea Northern Ireland Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pacific Islands Pakistan Palau (Belau) Palestine Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Island Poland Ponape Porto Rico Portugal Qatar Québec Redonda Réunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saba Sabah Saint-Eustache Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Vincent Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon San Marino Sao Tomé and Principe Sarawak Saudi Arabia Scotland Senegal Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Surinam Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Tadjikistan Tahiti Taiwan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tonga Tortola Trinidad and Tobago Tristan Da Cunha Truk Island Tunisia Turk and Caicos Islands Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine Union Island United Arab Emirates United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican Venezuela Vietnam Wake Island Wales Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Western Samoa Yap Island Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

 

Algeria

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Algeria, you can have your documents certified as true copies by an Algerian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Algeria certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Australia

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Australia, you can have your documents certified as true copies by an Australian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Australia certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Belgium

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Belgium certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Bénin

¹Municipality, borough.

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Benin, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Beninese embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Benin certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Brazil

¹In the offices of Brazilian notaries, certified true copies are signed by an officer/clerk called an escrevente.

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Brazil, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Brazilian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Brazil certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Bulgaria

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Bulgaria, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Bulgarian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Bulgaria certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Burkina Faso

¹ City hall, municipality, borough, police station.

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Burkina Faso, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Burkinabé embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Burkina Faso certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Cameroon

¹ Governorate, prefecture, city hall, borough, municipality.

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Cameroon, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Cameroonian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Cameroon certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Chad

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Chad, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Chadian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Chad certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

China (People’s Republic of)

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than China certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Colombia

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Colombia, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Colombian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Colombia certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Côte d'Ivoire

1- Prefecture, subprefecture, municipality, city hall.

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Côte d’Ivoire, you can have your documents certified as true opies by an Ivorian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Côte d’Ivoire certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Cuba

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Cuba, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Cuban embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Cuba certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Egypt

 

Notes:

• If you are outside the territory of Egypt, you can have your documents certified as true copies by an Egyptian embassy or consulate.
• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Egypt certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

France

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of France, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a French embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than France certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Guatemala

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Guatemala certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Guinea

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Guinea, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Guinean embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Guinea certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Haiti

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Haiti, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Haitian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Haiti certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Honduras

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Honduras, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Honduran embassy or consulate.
• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Honduras certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

India

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of India, you can have your documents certified as true copies by an Indian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than India certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Iran

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Iran, you can have your documents certified as true copies by an Iranian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Iran certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Israel

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Israel, you can have your documents certified as true copies by an Israeli embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Israel certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Japan

¹ The shiho shoshi and the gyosei shoshi are not recognized.

Notes:

• While the certified true copy does not exist in Japan, a Japanese notary (koshonin) can certify the authenticity of copies of diplomas or other documents. This person can issue a document called tohon ninsho, which can replace a certified true copy. For more information, consult the Japan National Notaries Association’s website.

• A duplicate issued by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. This processing time could be shorter if you submit duplicates.
• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Japan, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Lebanon

 

Notes:

• If you are outside the territory of Lebanon, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Lebanese embassy or consulate. Note that to be certified as true copies by a Lebanese notary or Lebanese diplomatic or consular mission, the documents must first be authenticated by Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants.

• If you want to have a document issued in a country or territory other than Lebanon certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Mauritius

¹The Department of Education and Human Resources is recognized for certifying copies of original education documents issued by the University of Cambridge in Mauritius.

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Mauritius, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Mauritian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Mauritius certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Mexico

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Mexican documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Notary of the country issuing the document

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Mexico, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Mexican embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Mexico certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Moldavia

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Moldavian documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Notary of the country issuing the document

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Moldavia, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Moldavian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Moldavia certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Morocco

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Moroccan documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Bureau of Professional Training and Advancement of Labor Prefecture or municipality

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Morocco, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Moroccan embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Morocco certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Peru

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Peruvian documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Notary of the country issuing the document

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Peru, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Peruvian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Peru certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Québec and Canada

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Canadian documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer1

¹ For Québec vocational diplomas and college diplomas awarded by the ministère de l’Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur, copies of diplomas and transcripts can be submitted instead of true certified copies.

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Québec or Canada, you must submit the original or a copy of the transcripts issued by the educational institution (photocopies are not accepted). Note that, according to the Directive sur la gestion des documents originaux, we do not return original transcripts issued by a Canadian institution. For copies of your diplomas, if you are unable to have them certified as true by an authority recognized for certifying documents issued by Québec or Canada, you must have them certified by a recognized authority in your country of residence (refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Canada certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Romania

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Romanian documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Notary of the country issuing the document

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Romania, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Romanian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Romania certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Russia

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Russian documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Notary of the country issuing the document

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Russia, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Russian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Russia certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Senegal

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Senegalese documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Local or regional administration1

¹ Prefecture, city hall, municipality, municipal borough, borough, police stations or police brigades.

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Senegal, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Senegalese embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Senegal certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Spain

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Spanish documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Notary of the country issuing the document City hall (Ayuntamiento)

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Spain, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Spanish embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Spain certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Togo

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Togolese documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Local or regional administration1

¹ City hall, municipality, borough, prefecture.

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Togo, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Togolese embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Togo certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Tunisia

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Tunisian documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Municipality or borough

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Tunisia, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Tunisian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Tunisia certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Ukraine

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Ukranian documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Notary of the country issuing the document

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of Ukraine, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Ukranian embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Ukraine certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

United States

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying American documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer Notary of the country issuing the document1

¹In States where notaries are authorized by law to certify a copy of a document as true.

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.

• If you are outside the territory of the United States, you must submit the original or a copy of the transcripts issued by the educational institution (photocopies are not accepted). Note that, according to the Directive sur la gestion des documents originaux, we do not return original transcripts issued by an American institution. For copies of your diplomas, if you are unable to have them certified as true by an authority recognized for certifying American documents, you must have them certified by a recognized authority in your country or territory of residence (refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory). If you reside in Canada, you can have your original American documents certified by a notary recognized by a competent provincial authority.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than the United States certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Venezuela

Type of document	Among the authorities recognized for certifying Venezuelan documents, there is:
Studies, training and internships	Document issuer National Education Department

 

Notes:

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. The processing time could be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• If you are outside the territory of Venezuela, you can have your documents certified as true copies by a Venezuelan embassy or consulate.

• If you want to have a document issued by a country or territory other than Venezuela certified as a true copy, you must refer to the table for the corresponding country or territory.

Other countries or territories

If the country or territory where the document was issued does not appear on this list, please make sure to have the document certified as a true copy by one of the authorities recognized by the Ministère in the issuing country or territory.

The following authorities are recognized by the Ministère:

• the issuer of the document
• a government department
  
• a local or regional administration (governorate, municipality, city hall, prefecture, sub-prefecture, wilaya, commune, borough)
  
• a notary of the country issuing the document
  

Note:

• Lawyers and police officers, with certain exceptions, are not authorities recognized by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration for certifying documents

• A copy certified as true by the document issuer is always the preferred format. Note that processing time is required to verify the accuracy of the information you have provided. This timeframe may be shorter if you submit copies certified as true by the issuer.
• Copies certified as true by the embassies and consulates of the countries or territories that issued the original document are accepted.