Authentication of documents: Check the status of your request to authenticate documents

Following the changes that came into effect on January 11, 2024, documents may now qualify for authentication by a provincial Competent Authority. If you wish to withdraw a request that is pending at Global Affairs Canada to submit it to a provincial office that is now able to authenticate your document, please follow the instructions outlined in Changes to authentication services in Canada under “Withdrawing a request for authentication at Global Affairs Canada to submit it to a provincial Competent Authority.

The purpose of this form is to request a status update on a request you have already submitted to the Authentication Services Section at Global Affairs Canada and which has not yet been processed. If you need to submit a new authentication request, please follow the instructions outlined in steps 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Below you will find the required minimum wait time before we are able to provide a status update for a request submitted to the Authentication Services Section at Global Affairs Canada. If you have asked us to forward your documents to an embassy, high commission or consulate, check the status of your documents with them first. Please note that due to the high volume of enquiries we receive, we regret that we are only able to respond to status update enquiries for requests that have exceeded the times indicated below. Please also note that documents sent by regular mail from overseas may take significantly longer to be received.

Minimum wait time before you can request a status update

Mailed from	Wait time to request a status update
Canada	20 business days (approximately 4 weeks)
Abroad	30 business days (approximately 6 weeks)

Email address (required) :

1. Please provide your full name, your telephone number, and your complete address. Please ensure that this information is the same as on the request form you previously sent to our Department. (required) :

2. Please provide the date you sent your documents and, if sent by courier or registered mail, the date we received them. Please indicate if your documents were sent by regular mail, registered mail or by courier (i.e. FedEx, Xpress Post or Purolator), and provide any tracking information if available. (required) :

3. Did you complete and include the mandatory request form? Please provide the full name of the person specified on the form. (required) :

4. Were the documents to be returned to you, or forwarded to another location (i.e. Embassy, High Commission, Consulate, foreign address or someone else)? If so, have you contacted them to see if they received your documents? (required) :

5. Did you include a prepaid courier envelope for us to mail out your documents? If so, what is the tracking number? (required) :

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Date modified:: 2024-09-25

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Authentication of documents: Check the status of your request to authenticate documents

Minimum wait time before you can request a status update