As of September 18, 2017, Guatemala has joined the Hague Apostille Convention. They are one of over one hundred countries to have signed the convention. You can review the list of members and dates of signing on the HCCH website.
What is an Apostille?
Under the Hague Apostille Convention, signatory countries of this treaty have agreed to recognize public documents issued by other signatory countries, providing those documents are authenticated by the attachment of an internationally recognized form of authentication known as an “apostille“. An apostille allows public documents issued in one signatory country to be recognized in all other signatory countries.
How can you get a Canadian apostille?
Canada is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention. Therefore, you cannot get an apostille on a Canadian document. If you are being asked for an apostille on your Canadian document, you will need to go through Canada’s equivalent process, authentication and legalization.
What is authentication and legalization?
Authentication and legalization is a process that enables your Canadian documents to be recognized in another country. This process involves two steps, document authentication at Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa and then legalization at the diplomatic mission of the destination country.
Global Affairs Canada and each diplomatic mission have very specific requirements for the authentication and legalization of documents.
The preparation of your documents is key. Some documents require notarization by a Canadian Notary Public. Other documents may require translation by a Canadian Certified Translator. The specific requirements of your documents will depend on many variables, too many to list here.
Ask an IDC expert!
As Canada’s leading authentication and legalization service, we would be happy to discuss your documents and answer all your questions. Call us toll free at 1-888-433-1011, or complete a Request Info form.
