The Hague Apostille Convention
What is the Hague Apostille Convention, and how does it apply to Canada? We have the answers to all of your questions. Read on to learn what an apostille is, how the process works, and what it means now that Canada issues apostilles. Still have questions? Contact our friendly staff—we would be happy to help.
What is the Hague Apostille Convention?
The Hague Apostille Convention is an international treaty drafted by the Hague Conference on Private International Law which came into effect in 1965. It governs the process through which a document issued in one country is legally certified for use in other countries. This treaty specifies that any signatory country can issue a certification called an “apostille”. Each signatory country will accept a document that has been apostilled in one of the other countries that has also signed the Hague Apostille Convention.
What is an Apostille?
An apostille is a type of certification that is applied to a document by the apostille authority in the country where the document originated. The apostille authority will apply an apostille certificate to the document verifying that the signature on the document is authentic.
Does Canada issue apostilles?
Yes, Canada issues apostilles. 127 countries (and counting) have signed the Hague Apostille Convention. For a list of countries who are signatories to the Hague Apostille convention, visit the official Hague Apostille Convention website. For more information about our document apostille services, take a look at our services for Document Apostille.
Where to Get an Apostille in Canada
Each province in Canada designates its own competent authority for issuing apostilles.
- Ontario: Official Documents Services (ODS)
- British Columbia: Ministry of Attorney General
- Alberta: Official Documents and Appointments
- Quebec: Ministry of Justice
- Saskatchewan: Ministry of Justice and Attorney General
- Remaining provinces and federal: Global Affairs Canada (JLAC)
Make sure your document is issued and/or notarized in the same province or jurisdiction where you are requesting the apostille.
Global Recognition – Canadian Document Services
From apostille to attestation, our specialized services ensure global recognition for your documents. We are your trusted partner in Canadian document apostille, handling everything from authentication to legalization, translation, and notarization. Our services bring clarity and expertise to each step so your documents make the impact they deserve anywhere in the world.
Contact us for your free consultation – we will explain your options and answer your questions.
Documents
We are your trusted service for document apostille and authentication and legalization. Offering services for a wide range of personal and commercial documents, our team will ensure your documents meet global standards. For a detailed list of the most commonly processed documents, visit our Documents Page.
Pricing
Our prices for document services, such as apostille, legalization, and more, can vary depending on many factors. Including the origins of your documents, the destination country where they will be used, or the desired speed of service. For a list of our service fees, visit our Pricing page.
What Our Clients Are Saying
My experience with IDOCS Canada has been 100% positive! The people with whom I dealt were both very informative and extremely patient. They helped me through the entire process and provided guidance in the areas in which I was unfamiliar. They stayed in close contact with me, and provided daily updates on the progress of my time sensitive paperwork. I was pleasantly surprised when once all my papers had arrived for attestation, they were processed the very same day! I would not hesitate to use IDOCS Canada again, and I recommend it without hesitation.
International Documents Canada provides a great service, all the time they were in contact to tell me about the process of my document. It was fast and easy. Thank you very much!
Perfect service!! Very friendly and extremely efficient:-)))
The service was excellent. I received prompt feedback to my questions! I will recommend the service to any friends or colleagues who might need this service in the future.
I am very happy with the service your company has provided. I found this service invaluable as my impending foreign service assignment has been delayed several times due to paperwork issues and the legalization of my marriage certificate had the makings of another long bureaucratic delay if not for your expedited service.
My interaction with IDC was fantastic. I loved everything about the service; you guys were prompt, kind, professional, considerate and always available when ever I had a question. I got my authentications and certifications done at a twinkle of an eye. I will recommend IDC any time, any day. Further more, I wanna thank the entire team for a job well done and special hats-off to Heather Ryerse for her professionalism and attentiveness. Thank y’all so very much.
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