Diploma and Degree Legalization in Canada

Canadian graduates who plan to work, study, or obtain professional licensing in another country frequently encounter requirements for legalized educational credentials. A foreign employer may need to verify the diploma before extending a job offer. A licensing body — for physicians, engineers, teachers, architects, and other regulated professions — may require a legalized diploma as part of its credential assessment process. A graduate school abroad may require legalized undergraduate transcripts and a degree certificate before confirming admission.

Some countries also require legalized diplomas for skilled worker immigration categories, where proof of education level is tied to points or eligibility thresholds in the immigration system.

Canadian diplomas and degree certificates are issued by universities, colleges, and other post-secondary institutions — not by a government vital statistics office. This matters for legalization because the pathway typically begins with authentication of the institution's registrar's signature and seal, rather than a provincial vital statistics certification.

In many cases, the institution must provide a certified or notarized copy of the diploma, or the original must be sent through channels that allow the authenticating authority to verify the issuing official's credentials. Some institutions will issue a certified copy on request; others require the original to be submitted. Graduation verification letters are sometimes used when the original diploma cannot be sent.

Since Canada joined the Apostille Convention on 11 January 2024, diplomas destined for member countries may be eligible for apostille issuance by Global Affairs Canada or a designated provincial authority. This single-step process is often more efficient than the older two-step method.

For countries outside the Convention, authentication followed by consular legalization at the destination country's embassy or consulate in Canada is the required pathway. The authentication step confirms that the signature and seal of the academic institution's authorized officer are genuine, enabling the embassy to then apply its consular legalization.

It is worth noting that legalization confirms document authenticity — it does not constitute a credential evaluation or equivalency assessment. If the foreign authority also requires an evaluation of whether the Canadian qualification meets their standards, that is a separate process, often conducted by a recognized credential assessment organization.

When consular legalization is needed, the embassy of the destination country in Canada will review the authenticated diploma and apply their own endorsement. Requirements vary: some embassies require the diploma to be accompanied by a notarized translation, a completed application form, or a copy of the applicant's passport.

If your destination country requires both legalization and a credential assessment report from a body such as WES (World Education Services) or a foreign equivalent, these are typically parallel processes. Visa Jet handles the legalization side; credential assessment is a separate matter for the relevant assessment organization.

Visa Jet is a private document support agency. We are not affiliated with any university, government body, or embassy. We assist clients in preparing their diploma legalization packages — determining the correct pathway, coordinating with the relevant authorities, and managing document logistics from start to finish.

For questions about your specific situation, contact Visa Jet at info@visajet.ca or +1 819-635-8787.