Moving to Canada in 2025: Relocation, Real Estate & Apostilles for U.S. Citizens

Thinking about a move to Canada for work, study, or family? Good timing. In 2025, Canada continues to invite newcomers who reduce labour shortages, including an education category (teachers) alongside health care, trades, and French-language draws under Express Entry. If that’s you, the fastest path is simple: get your U.S. document pack right (apostilles where needed), and line up housing + settlement before you arrive.

1) First things first: Do U.S. documents for Canada need an apostille?

Sometimes. Since January 11, 2024, Canada recognizes Hague apostilles, which replace consular legalization between Convention members. That makes cross-border paperwork simpler for U.S. documents used in Canada.

How issuing works on the U.S. side, keep it clean and binary:

• State & local documents (e.g., birth/marriage certificates, notarized letters, school records) get an apostille from the issuing state’s Secretary of State.

• Federal documents (e.g., the FBI Identity History Summary) get an apostille from the U.S. Department of State—Office of Authentications. Current guidance: ~5 weeks by mail from receipt, or ~7 business days for walk-in drop-off (limits apply). Build in shipping both ways.

Important nuance: IRCC (immigration) usually doesn’t require apostilles in its general instructions; it wants clear copies and proper translations (English or French). Apostilles may be requested by other Canadian recipients, employers, universities, licensing bodies, banks, registries, or courts. We confirm the actual rule set by your recipient before anything moves.

2) Who Canada is inviting in 2025 (and what that means for teachers)

IRCC’s category-based selection for 2025 includes education, alongside health care and social services, trades, and strong French language, with an added emphasis on candidates who already have Canadian experience. If you’re a teacher, clinician, or trades professional, being file-ready (credentials verified, translations in order, apostilles where needed) helps you move faster when rounds open or employers need quick onboarding.

3) What IRCC actually requires (don’t over-prepare, don’t under-prepare)

• Police certificate for time in the U.S.: IRCC names the FBI “Identity History Summary.” You can request it online. If any certificate isn’t in English or French, include a compliant translation package. Canada.ca

• Translations: IRCC requires English or French. If documents aren’t, submit a translation by a certified translator (IRCC does not accept translations by the applicant or family). IRCC+1

• Quebec and French-language contexts: Many recipients expect translators who are members of OTTIAQ (the provincial order). We match your case to the level your recipient expects. Québec

Bottom line: Apostilles are not typically an IRCC checkbox—but may be a checkbox for non-IRCC recipients (school registrar, employer, regulator, court/registry, or bank). We verify this at intake so you avoid rework. IRCC

4) Relocation essentials: housing without headaches

Renting your first place

• Know the process. Canadian rentals commonly involve a lease, ID verification, and sometimes credit/income checks. Provincial tenancy pages (like B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Branch) outline rights and processes—use them to understand deposits, inspections, and move-in rules before you sign. Government of British Columbia+1

• If you lack Canadian credit history. Ask prospective landlords what alternatives they’ll accept (e.g., employment letter, references). CMHC newcomer guides explain how screening works and what to expect when renting. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

• Documents not in English/French? Line up certified translations ahead of time (and OTTIAQ in Quebec if required). Québec

Opening a bank account as a newcomer

You can open a Canadian bank account even if you don’t have a job yet; the bank must be able to verify your identity. Knowing this early helps with rent payments and deposits. (FCAC and IRCC both outline these rights and steps.)

Buying later? Plan financing now

CMHC runs newcomer mortgage-insurance programs for permanent and some non-permanent residents, which can help when you’re ready to purchase. Keep organized proof of income/assets and expect lender-specific documentation requests.

5) Education, licensing & teachers: what to prepare

• Teachers (education category): Provinces differ, but expect degrees/transcripts, verification/statement of professional standing, and sometimes apostilled copies or certified translations, especially in French-language school boards or Quebec. With 2025’s education category in play, having these ready reduces friction.

• Health care & trades: Regulators often want primary-source verification and may prefer apostilled records to streamline trust across borders. We confirm the receiving authority’s rule before you order copies, notarize, or ship.

6) Smart sequencing (so nothing stalls)

1. Order certified copies you’ll need (vital records; registrar-stamped transcripts, license letters).

2. Notarize correctly (if applicable) in the state whose apostille you’ll request.

3. Apostille: state SOS for state/local; U.S. DoS for federal (e.g., FBI). Current DoS timelines: ~5 weeks by mail from receipt or ~7 business days for walk-in drop-off (limits).

4. Certified translation (EN↔FR; OTTIAQ in Quebec when required).

5. Assemble per recipient (IRCC vs employer vs university vs regulator vs bank/registry).

Tip: Apostilles certify signatures/seals, not content. If your document isn’t eligible because of the signature format, you’ll need a new certified copy or to re-execute the notarization correctly. (This is the #1 avoidable delay we see.)

7) Your Canada Move Document Pack (U.S.), Checklist

• Identity & civil status: Certified birth certificate; marriage/name-change/divorce records (order new certified copies if needed).

• Police certificate (U.S. stays): FBI Identity History Summary (IRCC’s specified U.S. document).

• Education & licensing: Diplomas, transcripts, license verifications; get registrar/licensing-board notarization if your recipient asks.

• Employment: Notarized employment/reference letters if requested.

• Business (if relevant): Corporate records, good-standing letters, POAs (common for banking/compliance).

• Apostilles: State for state/local documents; U.S. DoS for federal (e.g., FBI).

• Translations: English↔French; for Quebec, many authorities expect translators who are members of OTTIAQ.

8) How GFG gets this done (and where partners plug in)

We’re a U.S.-based, facilitation team. You upload; we run the sequence.

• Guided intake: We verify the issuing authority, apostille eligibility, and, most important, the receiving authority’s actual rule (IRCC vs employer/university/regulator vs bank/registry/court).

• Apostilles, end-to-end: We route state vs federal correctly, manage forms/fees, and courier to the right authority with tracked return shipping to the U.S., Canada, or abroad.

• Certified translations: EN↔FR (and more), including OTTIAQ-grade when Quebec recipients require it.

• Optional partner help, right in intake: Check boxes if you want introductions to licensed immigration counsel/RCICs and relocation-savvy real-estate partners (lease norms, screening, neighbourhoods). We coordinate documents so their work—and your housing—move in lockstep. (For banking setup, see federal guidance on newcomers’ right to open an account.)

9) Compliance & key references (plain English)

• Canada accepts apostilles (since Jan 11, 2024). Authority: HCCH + Global Affairs Canada.

• Who issues U.S. apostilles: State SOS for state/local; U.S. DoS for federal (with posted processing windows).

• IRCC requirements: FBI Identity History Summary for U.S. police checks; certified translations; no family translators.

• Quebec translations: OTTIAQ membership often required by recipients.

• Relocation basics: Renting and tenancy resources (CMHC; BC Residential Tenancy); newcomer banking rights (FCAC/IRCC).

• Skilled workers & teachers (2025): IRCC confirms education is included in category-based selection for 2025 and outlines category priorities.

Final step

If you’re a U.S. citizen moving to Canada, especially in education (teachers), health care, trades, or French-language roles, our team will prepare the right U.S. documents, route the correct apostilles, handle translations, and coordinate with licensed immigration and newcomer-friendly real-estate partners directly from intake. You focus on the move; we’ll keep the paperwork, and the housing plan, on track.

General information only; not legal advice. Requirements can change. We verify your specific recipient’s rule during intake.