Document apostille is an international process that is widely used when presenting a document from one country in another country. At International Documents Canada, we’re often asked if it’s possible to get an apostille on a Canadian document, and if so, what is the process. So, here we’ve broken things down for you.
If you need an apostille in Canada, read on to learn more about what you’ll need to do!
Why Would I Need an Apostille?
The apostille process is used to certify that a document from one country is authentic so that it will be officially recognized in another country. The apostille process can be used to certify the authenticity of a wide variety of documents, including civil certificates such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, educational diplomas, Power of Attorney documents, documents related to the sale of property, and commercial documents.
Can I Get an Apostille on a Canadian Document?
Yes. Because Canada has signed the Hague Apostille Convention, Canada can issue apostilles on documents. The apostilles will make the documents valid for use in any other apostille signatory country. However, if your documents will be used in another country that has not signed the Hague Apostille Convention, the process will need to include an additional step of document legalization.
How Do I Know if I Need to Have My Document Apostilled?
In some countries an apostille (or equivalent) on foreign documents is always required, in some countries, an apostille is sometimes required, and in some countries, an apostille is almost never required. The easiest way to determine if you need an apostille on your document is to contact the person or organization to whom you will be submitting your document. They may tell you the documents need apostille, authentication, legalization, or ratification. These terms all refer to the same process.
How Does the Canadian Apostille Process Work?
As mentioned above, you can have your Canadian documents apostilled. There are often multiple steps to the Canadian apostille process:
- Preparing Documents for Processing: Before beginning the process, your document needs to meet the requirements established by the relevant apostille authority (see the second step below) and in some cases (non-apostille country destinations) the embassy and consulate where it will be legalized (see the third step below). This may require notarization services, translations, and other supporting documents.
- Document Apostille: Once your document is ready for processing, it will then be sent to the appropriate apostille office for the apostille certificate. If your document is going to another apostille member country, this is the last step.
- Legalization at the Embassy or Consulate: If your document is not going to another apostille country, and instead will be used in non-apostille country, your document will need to be legalized. After being apostilled, your document will then be sent for legalization to the embassy or consulate of the country where it will be used. They’ll review it to make sure everything is in order, then place a stamp or sticker on the document to confirm it has been legalized.
Contact us today for more about document apostille services!
If you require apostille or authentication and legalization on any document, contact International Documents Canada today online or call 1 (888) 433-1011.
