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The short answer
A Canadian document for Nigeria goes through up to three steps: notarisation if it is not an original public document, authentication by the province or Global Affairs Canada, and legalisation at the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, because Nigeria is not an Apostille country. GAC's service is free and Ontario's costs CAD $16 to $32 per document (as at Oct 2026); the High Commission's fee for personal Canadian documents is not published, so ask before posting.
The three steps at a glance
| Step | Who | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Notarisation | A Canadian notary public | Private documents (POA, affidavit, consent letter), copies, translations, older documents a province will not take directly |
| 2. Authentication | The province (AB, BC, ON, QC, SK) or Global Affairs Canada | Every document going to Nigeria |
| 3. Legalisation | Nigeria High Commission, Ottawa | When the Nigerian recipient asks for it |
The whole chain exists because Nigeria is not a party to the Apostille Convention. Our explainer on whether Nigeria accepts a Canadian apostille covers why; this guide is about doing it.
Step 1: decide whether you need a notary
Original public documents can often go straight to authentication. Ontario, for example, authenticates vital statistics documents, recent court documents and recent public postsecondary documents directly. Everything else usually needs a notary first:
- documents you sign yourself, such as a power of attorney, affidavit or consent letter
- copies, which must be certified as true copies by a notary; GAC will not authenticate a photocopy
- translations of documents that are not in English or French, certified by a translator or a notary as GAC describes
Use an appointed notary public, not a commissioner for taking affidavits. See getting a Canadian notary.
Step 2: find the right authenticating office
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) sets out the split. It handles federal documents and documents issued or notarised in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the three territories. Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan handle documents issued in their province. A document notarised in Alberta, Ontario or Saskatchewan goes to that province wherever the original came from; in British Columbia and Quebec, a notarised document is handled provincially only if the original was issued there.
Submitting to Global Affairs Canada
- Submit a request online first; it confirms which authority handles your document and gives a service request number.
- Send the original by mail or courier to Global Affairs Canada, Authentication Services Section, 2421 Lancaster Road, Ottawa, ON K1B 4L5, or drop it at the distribution centre (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; there is no counter service).
- Write the request number on the envelope and include the summary page.
- Include a prepaid return envelope or prepaid courier label. Without one, documents come back by untracked regular mail.
GAC's service is free and it publishes processing times on a separate page. If you are outside Canada, it suggests checking first whether the nearest Canadian mission can authenticate your document. For Ontario documents, see authenticating an Ontario document.
What will be refused
GAC will not authenticate photocopies, glued or laminated documents, religious documents such as baptismal or church marriage certificates, foreign documents, or documents from unrecognised institutions. A refused document is returned by regular mail.
Step 3: legalisation at the Nigeria High Commission
Ask the person or office in Nigeria whether they need the Nigerian mission's stamp. If they do, contact the Nigeria High Commission at 295 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, before you post. Its legalisation page lists fees for certificates of free sale, Nigerian documents and police certificates, by money order, but not for personal Canadian documents (read October 2026). See legalisation at the High Commission.
Choosing the order for several documents
If you have more than one document, sort them by authority before you start. A family moving back to Nigeria might hold an Ontario marriage registration, an RCMP certificate and a notarised power of attorney signed in Toronto. The marriage registration and the power of attorney both go to Ontario; the RCMP certificate is federal and goes to GAC. Two parcels, not three, and the Ontario fees are per document. Then send the authenticated documents to the High Commission together, with one request letter and one money order covering everything, once the mission has confirmed the total.
Timing and posting
- Allow for each office in turn: Ontario states up to 15 business days by mail; the High Commission states 10 business days for the services where it gives a time.
- Authentication certificates do not expire, GAC says, but some Nigerian offices prefer recent documents. Ask.
- Send originals by tracked courier and keep scans of every page, including the certificates attached.
Where Pryme fits
Once the documents land, local fees follow. You can send naira to the person handling them from a Pryme account, and a verifiable receipt from Pryme's receipts service records the payment.
Questions people ask
How do I authenticate a Canadian document for Nigeria?
Notarise it if needed, have it authenticated by the province or Global Affairs Canada, then legalise it at the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa if the Nigerian recipient asks.
Does Global Affairs Canada charge for authentication?
No. GAC says its authentication service is free. Provinces charge their own fees; Ontario charges CAD $16 to $32 per document (as at Oct 2026).
Can I send a photocopy for authentication?
No. GAC does not authenticate photocopies. Have a notary certify a true copy, then authenticate the notarised copy.
Where is Global Affairs Canada authentication located?
Authentication Services Section, 2421 Lancaster Road, Ottawa, ON K1B 4L5. Submit online first; there is drop-off but no counter service.
Sources
- Global Affairs Canada: Authentication of documents, requirements (modified 26 Aug 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Government of Ontario: Authenticate a document for use outside Canada (updated 8 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- HCCH: Apostille Convention status table (last updated 30 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria High Commission Ottawa: Requirements for legalization of documents (undated, read Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria High Commission Ottawa: Driver's licence authentication, with mailing address (undated, read Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.