Type the recipient after “Exclusive use of”, choose an intensity and download the marked copy as JPG or PDF. The pattern crosses the whole document and its fine print repeats your words with today’s date; it is drawn in your browser, and nothing is uploaded.
Marking a copy
- Choose a photo, scan or PDF of the passport page or card, and add the back if it has one.
- Crop off the background and rotate it upright.
- The field starts with “Exclusive use of …”, and selecting it highlights the ellipsis. Type over it with the recipient and purpose, for example “Exclusive use of Maple Property Ltd., rental application”.
- Choose an intensity: Subtle, Lighter, Balanced (the default), Stronger or Intense. Use the strongest one that still leaves every required field readable.
- Pick JPG or PDF and download, then open the copy and check it before it goes anywhere.
What the watermark draws
The mark is the Dokus app’s own: fine waves across the whole document, your words set large, and microtext repeating them with today’s date. Both sides get it, and because it covers the card rather than a corner, it cannot be cropped off without cutting the document. It records who the copy was for; it cannot stop misuse.
Wording that matches Canadian privacy rules
Under PIPEDA’s fair information principles, an organization has to identify why it collects personal information before or when it does, and collect only what that purpose needs. Ask for the purpose and put it on the copy; a landlord, an employer and a car-sharing service will each give a different answer.
Asking also tells you whether a copy is needed. The Privacy Commissioner says a landlord who only confirms who you are likely does not need one, and that photocopying or scanning a driver’s licence generally goes too far for retailers. IRCC’s advice is to give a passport photocopy only to an organization or person you trust, because you are responsible for what is done with it.
When to leave a copy unmarked
When IRCC or another public service asks you to upload a document, follow its instructions rather than altering it. Automated identity checks may also refuse a marked image, so ask first.
Hide details covers a field nobody needs, Compress meets an upload limit once you have finished here, and Photo to PDF puts both sides on a Letter page.
Done on your device
The copy is drawn and encoded in your browser, without location or camera data; the source file is not modified and nothing is uploaded. A PDF saved here holds an image of each page, so selectable text, form fields and signatures are not kept.
Watermark questions
What should I write for a rental application in Canada?
Name the landlord or agency and the purpose, for example Exclusive use of Maple Property Ltd., rental application. The tool adds today’s date to the fine print, so you do not need to type it.
Is the date added automatically?
Yes. The microtext repeats your words with today’s date, taken from your device, written as year, month and day.
Can I watermark both sides of my licence?
Yes. Add the back after choosing the front, and the watermark is drawn on both sides of the copy you download.
Does a watermark stop identity fraud?
No. It shows who the copy was for and can discourage reuse, but it cannot prevent misuse. Check who is asking and send only what they need.
