When preparing for early study in Canada, a custodianship declaration (guardian consent) is a required document for a child's Study Permit. Canada is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so once you notarize the document in Korea and obtain an apostille, it is recognized as official in Canada. Below is how Apostille Korea handles drafting, notarization, and apostille remotely, in one stop.
What is a custodianship declaration (guardian consent)?
A Custodianship Declaration is a document that officially appoints a legal guardian (Custodian) to care for a minor child who will study in Canada without their parents. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires this document when a minor student aged 17 or under applies for a Study Permit. Notarization secures the document's legal effect so it is recognized in Canadian visa screening.
When do you need it?
- Canadian Study Permit application for a minor aged 17 or under
- Enrolling in a Canadian school without an accompanying parent
- Submitting admission documents to a Canadian public or private school
- Preparing screening documents for IRCC
Key documents
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Custodianship declaration (Korea side) | Parents appoint the child's custodian; notarized at a Korean notary office |
| Custodian consent (Canada side) | The Canadian custodian accepts the role; notarized at a Canadian notary |
| Apostille certificate | The Korea-notarized document is apostilled for effect in Canada |
The process, step by step
- Draft the documentPrepare the custodianship declaration using the template Apostille Korea provides.
- Korean notarizationNotarize the document, including the parents' signatures, at a Korean notary office.
- ApostilleBecause Canada is an apostille member, the notarized document is apostilled.
- Receive the Canada-side documentReceive the document drafted and notarized by the Canadian custodian.
- Submit with the visa applicationFile the completed documents with the IRCC Study Permit application.
How to apply with Apostille Korea
You can request a consultation through the Apostille Korea website, with immediate enquiries available through our chat channels. We align the documents with the latest IRCC requirements and handle the whole flow online.
Frequently asked questions
What is a custodianship declaration (guardian consent)?
It is a document that officially appoints a legal guardian (Custodian) to care for a minor child studying in Canada without their parents. It is a required submission for a Canadian Study Permit.
When is it needed?
It is required for an early-study Study Permit when a minor aged 17 or under enters and stays in Canada without an accompanying parent.
What is the notarization procedure?
After drafting and notarizing at notary offices on both the Canada and Korea sides, the Korean document is apostilled (Canada is a Hague member) for submission. Apostille Korea handles the entire process.
Who can be the custodian?
Any adult (aged 19 or over) resident in Canada — a relative, an acquaintance, or a professional guardianship company. The appointed custodian must also sign the consent document.
What are the timeline and cost?
It varies by document type and quantity, but typically about 3 to 10 business days. For exact pricing, a free consultation is available through our website or chat channel.
Why Apostille Korea
- Specialist team — Canada study documents, notarization, and apostille handled directly by experts.
- One-stop service — drafting, notarization, and apostille resolved together.
- Fully remote — apply online and receive your documents with no in-person visit.
- Deadline-driven — processed quickly to match your visa application schedule.