How do I contact the Official Documents Services office?
See contact information for ODS.

What are ODS hours?
The Official Documents Services office is open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

ODS is closed on the following statutory holidays:
New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Simcoe Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Where is ODS located?
ODS has one office location only at 77 Grenville Street,
9th Floor in Toronto. See the map of the area and subway directions to ODS.

What kind of documents does ODS authenticate?
ODS formally authenticates legalized documents requested by foreign consulates and embassies. ODS authenticates notarized or commissioned: birth, adoption, marriage or divorce certificates; property ownership documents; school, college, or university admission papers and transcripts; business and commercial documents; and other government official documents.

What payment methods does ODS accept?

Walk-in clients:

• Cash
• VISA & MASTERCARD
• Debit card
• Certified cheque*
• Money order*

Mail-in:

• Certified cheque*
• Money order*

* Certified cheques and money orders are to be made payable to the Minister of Finance.

What do I need to do to get my documents authenticated?

1. We recommend that you first check with the appropriate consulate/embassy to ensure that all requirements are met before any document is notarized or commissioned. See contact information for Embassies and consulates.
2. Mail or bring, in person, to ODS your original notarized documents, with the appropriate fee. ODS will authenticate the original notarized documents.
3. ODS will issue a certificate of authentication for each document that has been authenticated.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ODS DOES NOT VERIFY THE CONTENT OF ANY NOTARIZED/COMMISSIONED DOCUMENT.

Consult our Client checklist for details on what you need to do before presenting documents to ODS.

How does ODS authenticate documents?
ODS' mandate is to verify the document submitted to its office by comparing the signature and seal/stamp (as applicable) on the document against the information on file pertaining to the notary public/commissioner for taking affidavits.

ODS staff must be able to visually inspect all the relevant information on the notarized/commissioned document in its entirety before completing the authentication process.

Authentication will not proceed if:

• any part of the name, seal and/or stamp of the notary or commissioner is missing;
• the name, seal and/or stamp is different from what ODS has on file; or
• the notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits is not registered on file with ODS.

How long will it take to authenticate my documents?
If you are visiting our office, your documents will be authenticated in 15-20 minutes of receipt by ODS staff. If you are mailing the documents, they will be mailed back to you after 24 hours or you can pick them up at reception after 24 hours.

Does ODS have an in-house notary public?
No. Please consult your local Yellow pages for a notary public. ODS has records for all the notaries in the Province of Ontario. Any notary public would be acceptable.