A record suspension in Canada removes a criminal record from the active national database. A fingerprint-based RCMP check obtained after a record suspension is granted should return no criminal record. This is what most foreign authorities want to see.

However, some destinations require a statutory declaration confirming the applicant's status rather than simply a "no record" check result. Others ask about prior suspensions specifically. Confirm what level of disclosure the destination country requires before ordering the check - a "no record" result is not the same as a declaration that no record has ever existed.

When the name on a current passport differs from the name on a birth certificate or other record - due to marriage, divorce, or a formal name change - foreign authorities may question whether the documents refer to the same person. Include an apostilled name-change certificate or a notarized statutory declaration explaining the discrepancy alongside the other documents. Some receiving authorities specifically require this supplementary evidence.

Apostilling documents for minors follows the same provincial routing as adult documents. A parent or legal guardian may need to provide written authorization for a notary to certify documents on behalf of a minor. Travel consent letters - confirming that a minor is authorized to travel with one parent or a third party - can be apostilled, which is useful for international travel arrangements where one parent is remaining in Canada.

Some documents carry signatures from both a provincial official and a federal one. The routing is determined by the primary issuing authority. When the correct route is unclear, contact the authority you plan to submit to first and describe the specific document - they will confirm whether they can process it or whether it should go to GAC.

Status cards issued under the Indian Act are federal documents. Apostilles for these, where required, go through GAC. Band council resolutions and First Nations administrative records may require specific guidance. Contact the Authentication Services Section directly for documents of this type before submitting.

A document signed by a Quebec civil-law notary but intended for use in an Ontario transaction - a power of attorney for Ontario real estate, for example - raises the question of which province's authority should apostille it. If the document is governed by Quebec civil law, it may need to go through Quebec's verification chain. If it was created under Ontario law but signed by a Quebec notary working in Ontario, the province of the notarial act's governing law determines the route. When in doubt, describe the document to the authority before submitting.