• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • About
    • Maria Campos
  • Services
    • Immigration Law
    • Corporate & Commercial Law
    • Notary Public
      • Apostille Services
    • Real Estate Law
    • Wills & Estates
    • Civil Litigation
    • Family Law
      • Separation & Divorce
      • Property and Debt
      • Family Law Agreements
      • Custody & Access
      • Child Support
      • Spousal Support
      • Adoption
  • Contact
  • Payments
  • Blog
    • Immigration
    • Family Law
      • Separation & Divorce
      • Child Support
      • Spousal Support
      • Family Law Agreements
      • Legal Custody
      • Property & Debt
    • Corporate Law
    • Real Estate Law
    • Civil Litigation
    • Wills & Estates
  • Español

Invicta Law

Lawyer & Notary Public

The Hague Convention: How do I get an Apostille Certificate?

April 21, 2021 By Invicta

The Hague Convention: How do I get an Apostille Certificate?

Some countries use apostille certificates to validate public documents issued by one country for use in another country. In Canada, there is a different process to validate a document such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate for use abroad. The process is called “authentication and legalization”.

What is an apostille certificate? 

The Hague Apostille Convention is an international treaty that came into effect in 1965 to streamline the process for using documents internationally. Any country that has signed onto the Convention can issue an “apostille certificate” which means that the document is legally certified for use in any country that has also signed the Convention. Canada, however, is not one of the countries that has signed the Hague Apostille Convention, so apostille certificates are not available in Canada. 

How to get the equivalent of an apostille certificate in Canada 

Instead of apostille certificates, Canada uses an internationally recognized process called “authentication and legalization.” This involves two steps:

  1. First, your document must be sent to the Authentication Services Section of Global Affairs Canada. It must be an original document bearing a recognized signature and seal, if applicable. Authentication proves that the signature and the seal on the document are genuine. Once Global Affairs Canada confirms the authenticity of your document, the document is stamped as authenticated. Note that your document may need to be notarized before it can be sent for authentication—contact a BC notary public to find out how to prepare your document for authentication.  
  2. Second, your document must be sent to be legalized by the consulate or embassy of the receiving country (that is, the country where you want to use the document). The Canadian office of the foreign consulate or embassy verifies that the Global Affairs Canada authentication stamp on your document is valid (and that your document meets other requirements, which vary from country to country). When satisfied, the embassy or consulate of the receiving country stamps or certifies the face of your document, confirming legalization.

Once your document has been authenticated and legalized, it is valid for use in another country and legally recognized in the same manner as an apostilled document. 

Contact Invicta Law Corporation if you need the equivalent of an apostille certificate for your Canadian document. We can guide you through the authentication and legalization process to get your documents approved for international use, whether for personal or business affairs. We also provide a full range of notarial services.

Apostille Services in Vancouver

Have you been asked to get a document apostilled or authenticated? If so, your document must go through a specialized process to make it valid for international use. We offer apostille services in Vancouver to streamline the process for you.

Find out more Apostille Services in Vancouver

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp

Related Posts


Featured Posts

Importing a Car to Canada from Mexico

June 14, 2022 By Invicta

Thinking about importing a car from Mexico to Canada? There is some leg work involved. Here is what you need to know about the import process.

How Does Express Entry Work?

June 1, 2022 By Invicta

Canada uses a points-based system called Express Entry to rank immigration applications. Applicants with the highest scores are selected from the pool of candidates and invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada. If you are a skilled immigrant who wants to immigrate to Canada, Express Entry may be a great option for you.

Temporary Entry to Canada from US and Mexico Easier Under CUSMA

April 6, 2022 By Invicta

Temporary entry to Canada is easier if you are a citizen of the Unites State or Mexico coming to Canada as a “business person.” The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) simplifies the process for professionals, tradespeople, investors, executives, and business visitors who want to work temporarily in Canada.

Reconsideration of a Refused PR Application- Two Stage Principle

February 22, 2022 By Maria

Refusals of immigration applications are common, and it has also become common to apply for reconsiderations, but exactly is a reconsideration of a decision and what is the legal test?

The Federal Court of Canada has recently ruled on a two stage process required by an immigration officer when assessing a reconsideration of a negative decision.

Misrepresentation or Innocent Misrepresentation; What if your Immigration Representative Submits your Application without Giving you an Opportunity to Review?

February 14, 2022 By invictalaw

The general consequence of a finding of misrepresentation in immigration applications is very severe – a five-year ban on admission to Canada. The jurisprudence is settled that s40(1)(a) of the IRPA is to be given a broad interpretation in order to promote its underlying purpose. It is important to note that the exception to this rule is narrow.

Newsletter

Footer

Invicta Law Corporation is based in Vancouver BC, focusing on Canadian Immigration, Family and Corporate Law.

-

88 West Pender St.
Suite 2081
Vancouver, BC V6B 6N9

Consultations by appointment only. Please contact us if you have any questions.

-

[email protected]
Book Appointment
(604) 674-7104

Copyright © 2023 · INVICTA LAW CORPORATION · Privacy Policy · Terms & Conditions · Disclaimer

Visit us on Facebook Facebook LinkedIn LinkedIn Instagram Instagram and Youtube Youtube