Apostille Services in Canada
Canada officially joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 January 2024, opening a faster, single-step certification path for documents headed to member countries. Visa Jet helps Canadians navigate the new apostille process with confidence.
Canada and the Apostille Convention — What Changed in 2024
On 11 January 2024, Canada acceded to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents — commonly known as the Apostille Convention. This was a significant development for Canadians sending documents abroad.
Before accession, every document destined for a foreign country had to go through a two-step chain: authentication by Global Affairs Canada, followed by consular legalization at the destination country's embassy or consulate in Canada. For countries that are members of the Apostille Convention, Canada can now issue a single apostille certificate that those countries are obligated to recognize — eliminating the separate consular legalization step.
The apostille is issued by Global Affairs Canada at the federal level, and certain designated provincial authorities may also issue apostilles for documents that fall within provincial jurisdiction. The certificate confirms the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp on the underlying document and is attached to or incorporated with that document before it is sent abroad.
Who Benefits from the Canadian Apostille Process
The apostille pathway is relevant to any Canadian individual or organization sending public documents to a country that is a member of the Apostille Convention. There are well over 120 member countries, spanning Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and beyond.
Common situations where an apostille is now the appropriate route include: Canadians emigrating to or retiring in a member country, students applying to foreign universities in member countries, professionals seeking credential recognition abroad, businesses executing cross-border agreements, and individuals involved in international adoption, marriage, or estate proceedings. If the destination country is on the Apostille Convention member list, the apostille replaces consular legalization — making the process more straightforward.
For documents going to countries that have not joined the Convention, the older authentication-plus-consular-legalization route remains in effect. See our document authentication page for that pathway.
Documents Eligible for an Apostille in Canada
An apostille can be placed on public documents — that is, documents issued or certified by a public authority. Common examples include:
- Federal and provincial birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Notarized documents authenticated by a Canadian notary or commissioner of oaths
- Police certificates issued by the RCMP or provincial police services
- Educational diplomas and transcripts certified by a provincial authority
- Court orders and judgement documents
- Corporate documents registered with federal or provincial authorities
- Powers of attorney notarized in Canada
How Visa Jet Helps with Your Apostille Application
Visa Jet is a private Canadian support agency — not a government body or official issuing authority. We do not issue apostilles ourselves; that authority rests with Global Affairs Canada and designated provincial bodies. What Visa Jet does is help you prepare your file correctly so that it is ready for submission to the appropriate authority without unnecessary back-and-forth.
We review your documents to confirm they meet the requirements for apostille processing, identify whether federal or provincial submission is appropriate for your document type, assist with organizing any notarization or certification needed before the apostille can be attached, and support you with submission logistics. We also help clients who need certified translations of documents in addition to an apostille. Throughout the process, Visa Jet keeps you updated on the status of your file.
Our step-by-step process
- 01Tell us what you needShare the service you're looking for and the destination country. We'll confirm what applies to your situation.
- 02We review the requirementsOur team reviews the official requirements for your document or visa so nothing is missed.
- 03We prepare & submitWe prepare your documents or application and provide submission support to the embassy, consulate, or office.
- 04We track & update youWe track the file and keep you informed with clear updates until the process is complete.
Frequently asked questions
No. Visa Jet is a private agency and cannot guarantee that any foreign government, institution, or authority will accept your apostilled document. Final acceptance decisions rest with the receiving country and institution. We work to ensure your document is correctly prepared for apostille processing, but outcomes are always subject to the destination authority's requirements.
An apostille is a single-step certificate issued under the Hague Convention that member countries must recognize. Consular legalization is a separate step — required for non-member countries — where the destination country's embassy or consulate in Canada certifies the document after Global Affairs Canada has authenticated it. Since Canada joined in January 2024, apostilles now replace consular legalization for member-country destinations.
Global Affairs Canada is the primary competent authority for issuing apostilles on federal public documents. Certain designated provincial authorities may also issue apostilles for documents under provincial jurisdiction. Visa Jet is a private agency and does not issue apostilles — we assist with preparation and submission support.
No. The apostille is only recognized by countries that have joined the Hague Apostille Convention. If your destination country is not a member, your documents must go through the traditional authentication by Global Affairs Canada followed by consular legalization at that country's embassy or consulate in Canada. Visa Jet can assist with that pathway as well.
Processing times are set by Global Affairs Canada and can vary based on their current workload. Visa Jet does not control government processing timelines and cannot promise specific turnaround times. We encourage clients to begin the process well in advance of any deadline.
Yes. Visa Jet offers certified translation support for documents that require translation prior to or alongside the apostille process. Contact us to discuss your specific document and destination requirements.
Important: Visa Jet is a private travel, visa, and document support agency. We are not a government office, embassy, or consulate. We assist with document preparation, legalization support, application review, embassy submission, and tracking. Final approval and processing times are determined by the embassy, consulate, government office, or destination country.
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