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”. A document that has been apostilled is legally certified for use in any country that has signed the Hague Apostille Convention.
Does Canada issue apostilles?
126 countries have signed the Hague Apostille Convention. However, Canada only signed in 2023 and it takes effect January 11, 2024. Because Canada had not signed this treaty, we cannot issue apostilles until it takes effect. Click here for a list of countries who are signatories to the Hague Apostille convention.
The Canadian apostille process
The Canadian apostille process will allow documents from Canada to be used in any other apostille signatory country. If you need to get a Canadian document “apostilled” you will need to first determine which government office holds jurisdiction over the origins of your document, either Global Affairs Canada or a provincial authority. Then follow the instructions to obtain the apostille. Click here for more information on the Canadian apostille process.
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