An Apostille is an official certificate that verifies the authenticity of a public Canadian document (like a birth certificate or diploma) so it can be used in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Canada’s status

Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2024.

Because of this, Canada now uses Apostilles instead of the older legalization process for most international document use.

What the Apostille does:

• Confirms the origin of the document, not its content

• Verifies the signature, seal, or stamp on the document

• Makes the document valid in all other Apostille Convention countries without further embassy legalization

Who issues Apostilles in Canada?

Depending on where in Canada the document was issued:

• Global Affairs Canada (GAC) – for federal documents and for provinces/territories not issuing their own Apostilles

• Provincial authorities – some provinces issue Apostilles directly for documents they produce (e.g., vital records, court documents)

Documents that can be Apostilled

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates

• Court documents

• Educational documents (degrees, transcripts)

• Notarized documents

• Federal documents (e.g., RCMP checks)

Where Apostilles are accepted

Only in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention

If the destination country is not a member, the old legalization process is still required and Global Apostille can assist you with the entire Legalization process.

Important notes

• Apostilles are usually attached as a separate certificate

• They do not expire, but receiving countries may have their own rules on document age

Documents must be in English or French to qualify for Apostille. Documents in English or French may need certified translation depending on the destination country

Processing time can vary depending on where the document is being Apostille i.e. Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Official Document Services (ODS) or Quebec Apostille Department.

Other factors such as mail delays, volume, time of year and whether your document meets all requirements on the first attempt.

GAC submissions can generally take about 15 – 25 business days once GAC receives your document. Peak season processing delays may extend to 30 – 40 business days.

ODS submissions can take up to 30 business days to process. Rush service is available which can be 1 – 2 business days.

Quebec Apostille Department can generally take about 15 – 20 business days once they receive your document. High volume of requests at the department can also delay this timeline further.

Timelines do not include mailing time to and from these Government departments.

We can Apostille a wide range of documents including birth, marriage, and death certificates, school transcripts and diplomas, powers of attorney and legal agreements, and business or corporate documents. If your document is not listed, contact us and we can guide you on the proper process.

Yes, as of January 11, 2025, Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention, which simplifies the authentication process by eliminating the need for legalization for documents intended for use in other member countries (over 120 countries are participants).

Yes. We provide in-person and mobile notarization for documents that need legal verification before Apostille or Legalization.

Yes. We offer professional translation services through our partner licensed translators. All translations meet the official standards required for legalization, Apostille, or international use.

Pricing depends on the number of documents and service required. Apostille services start at $150.00 for the first document. Notary services start at $36.95 for the first document. Translation costs depend on the number of words or pages. Rush processing is an additional cost. Contact us today for a quote.

Absolutely. We specialize in helping families prepare and authenticate documents for immigration or dual citizenship applications. We guide you through which documents need Notarization, Apostille, or Legalization to ensure everything is correct the first time.

Yes, most documents must be originals for Apostille or Legalization. In some cases, certified copies may be acceptable, and we will advise you based on your specific documents. If the document was originally issued electronically then you need to email us the document. If the document was issued by paper originally, then you need to courier the original to our office.

Yes. We provide secure shipping options to ensure your documents reach you or the destination country safely.

Canadian documents commonly processed include:

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Certificate of divorce

• Vital statistics documents

• University degrees and transcripts

• Criminal record checks

• Court documents

• Corporate documents

• Adoption documents

• Power of attorney forms

• Certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad

• Public documents issued by government departments

For your document to be accepted internationally, it must meet the authentication requirements, including proper signatures, seals, and provincial or federal issuing authorities.

Getting started is simple. Contact us via phone, email, or our online form, provide details of your documents and destination country, and we will guide you through the process, pricing, and timeline.