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Apostille for a divorce certificate or judgment

Remarrying abroad or proving your marital status for immigration often needs an apostilled divorce certificate or judgment. Because it's a court document, the route runs through court certification first — here's how.

Document typeCourt document (provincial superior court)
PreparationA certified copy from the court, or a notarized certified true copy, so the signature can be verified
Government fee$0 (Global Affairs Canada) up to $66.50 (Québec), at cost
What gets apostilledThe certified divorce certificate or judgment / order

Certificate or full judgment?

Some authorities accept the short Certificate of Divorce; others want the full divorce judgment or order. Either way it's a court document, so it needs a certified copy from the issuing court (or a notarized certified true copy) before an apostille can verify the signature.

Certificate of Divorce

A short confirmation that the divorce took effect. Frequently enough to prove marital status for remarriage or immigration.

Divorce judgment / order

The full court decision, sometimes required where the terms (custody, name, property) matter to the receiving authority.

We confirm which one you need. Tell us the destination and the purpose at pre-check, and we'll confirm whether the certificate or the full judgment is required — and arrange the court certification and apostille.

Which Canadian authority handles it

The authority is decided by where the document was issued or notarized — never by where you live now.

  • Québec records and notarizations → Québec's designated authority. Québec notarizations are verified by the Chambre des notaires first, so build in lead time.
  • Ontario → Official Document Services; British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan → each province's own authority, usually on a notarized certified true copy.
  • All other provinces and territories, plus federal documents → Global Affairs Canada (no government fee, roughly 20 business days).
See each authority's fee and timeline on the by-province overview, or start the free pre-check and we'll confirm the exact routing for your document and destination.
A certified translation of the apostilled document is often required for non-English/French destinations. The receiving authority sets the rule; we flag it at pre-check.
Common questions
Certificate of Divorce or the full judgment?
It depends on the destination and purpose. The short certificate often suffices to prove marital status; some authorities want the full judgment. We confirm which at pre-check.
Why does it need court certification?
An apostille verifies an official signature. A certified copy from the issuing court (or a notarized certified true copy) gives the authority a signature it can verify.
Which authority apostilles it?
The one covering the province where it was issued or notarized: Québec, Ontario, BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan each have their own; all others go to Global Affairs Canada.
Do I need a translation?
Often, for non-English/French destinations. The receiving authority sets the rule; we flag it before you commit.

Apostille a divorce certificate

Tell us the destination and purpose — we'll confirm the right document, arrange court certification, and send a fixed all-in quote within one business day.

Free pre-check