When preparing your documents for use abroad, it is quite common to find out on short notice that your documents require a special type of processing, called the document apostille process. Navigating the document apostille process under tight time restrictions can add stress and frustration to an already complex process. Luckily, as Canada’s leading experts in document apostille, authentication, and legalization services, we have the experience and knowledge to tell you how to expedite the apostille process for time-sensitive situations. Throughout this article, we will outline the roles and responsibilities of the apostille offices, as well as your options to expedite the apostille process.
What is an apostille?
Good question! To understand the process, first we need to understand the term “apostille”. An apostille is a type of document certification that confirms the authenticity of a
document, so that the document will be officially recognized in other apostille signatory countries. Any country that has signed the Hague Apostille Convention, including Canada, will issue apostille certificates and in turn, recognize apostille certificates issued by other countries.
If the country where you are headed is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents will require an additional step of document legalization. This final step of document legalization is completed at the embassy or consulate of the destination country. You may find more about document legalization from our website and helpful resources here: Canadian document legalization.
Where to find apostille services near you?
Now that we know the meaning of the term apostille, let’s discuss where you can apostille documents in Canada. There are several offices in Canada who can apostille your documents. Global Affairs Canada is responsible for issuing apostilles for Canadian documents originating from the Government of Canada and the provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon.
The government offices in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Quebec, are responsible for issuing apostilles for documents from their jurisdictions.
How can the apostille process be expedited for time-sensitive situations?
Each of the apostille offices across Canada (as described above) will issue apostilles on Canadian documents that fall under their jurisdiction. In general, these offices do not offer an expedited apostille service.
However, there may be alternative routes of obtaining the apostille on your documents for time-sensitive situations. The origins of the documents, the country in which the documents will be used, the type of documents, and the language of the documents may all determine the eligibility to access alternative routes of document apostille.
Each situation is unique. Therefore, the best way to determine how the apostille process can be expedited for time-sensitive situations is to contact our office. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your documents and how to best approach the apostille process.
How can we help you with the Canadian document apostille process?
Whether you are looking for more information, or you would like assistance with the document apostille process, we can help. Supporting our clients to navigate and expedite the process has been our business for over a decade. Contact us today for a free consultation. Call us toll free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us your questions through our quick Contact form. Our friendly staff will get back to you right away!
