Iran does not currently have a diplomatic mission in Canada. In September 2012 the Government of Canada suspended diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, closed the Canadian Embassy in Tehran, expelled Iranian diplomats from Ottawa, and designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism under the State Immunity Act. The Embassy of Iran in Ottawa has been closed since then, and there are no Iranian consulates anywhere in Canada. Iranian Trade Office and Cultural Centre activities in Canada have likewise been suspended.
The Iranian-Canadian community is among the largest Iranian diaspora populations in the world. Roughly 200,000 to 400,000 people of Iranian origin live in Canada, with the largest concentrations in the Greater Toronto Area (especially North York, Richmond Hill, Thornhill), the Greater Vancouver area (North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam), Montreal, and Calgary. Demand for Iranian passport renewals, civil registry updates, and document legalization persists. Because there is no Iranian mission in Canada, these services are obtained through Iranian missions abroad, principally the Iranian Interests Section hosted by the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C.
| Monday | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (consular reception by appointment) |
| Tuesday | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (consular reception by appointment) |
| Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (consular reception by appointment) |
| Thursday | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (consular reception by appointment) |
| Friday | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (consular reception by appointment) |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Iran is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Even though Canada itself joined the Convention on 11 January 2024, Canadian documents going to Iran still require the full consular legalization chain, completed through the Iranian Interests Section at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C. (or through an Iranian mission in a third country). After the document arrives in Iran, a final attestation by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is typically also required.
Most Canadian-issued documents must be translated into Persian (Farsi) by a certified translator before they will be accepted by Iranian authorities. We deliver ATIO-certified English-to-Persian and French-to-Persian translations. See our pricing for the per-document fee schedule.
Powers of attorney, declarations, and affidavits, as well as translator certifications when required, must be signed before a Canadian notary public before authentication. We arrange notarization through partner notaries in Toronto and Ottawa.
Federal authentication is performed by Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa. Ontario also operates the Official Documents Services (ODS) for documents issued within the province. The Canadian authentication / apostille is a precondition; see the Authentication and Apostille page for the full process and fees.
Once authenticated on the Canadian side, the document is submitted to the Iranian Interests Section at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C. for attestation. Submissions are usually accepted by mail/courier from Canada; processing times vary. Consular fees must be paid in the manner specified by the Interests Section.
After arrival in Iran, most documents need a final attestation by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they can be submitted to an Iranian court, registrar, university, or government office. This step is typically handled in Iran itself or by a representative there.
Canada suspended diplomatic relations with Iran in September 2012, closed the Canadian Embassy in Tehran, expelled Iranian diplomats from Ottawa, and designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism. The former Embassy of Iran on Metcalfe Street in Ottawa has been closed since that date. Iranian consular services for Canadian residents are now provided through Iranian missions abroad.
No. Iran is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. The full legalization chain (notary, Global Affairs Canada or provincial authentication, then attestation through the Iranian Interests Section in Washington, D.C., and finally Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation in Iran) is still required.
Iranian passport renewals are processed through the Iranian Interests Section in Washington, D.C., usually by mail with original supporting documents. Confirm the current procedure and fees on the Interests Section's website (daftar.org) before sending originals.
Yes. Canadian sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, together with the listing of Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, restrict many categories of commercial activity and certain financial dealings with Iran. We translate and prepare personal and family documents routinely, but commercial document attestation should be reviewed for sanctions compliance before submission.
