Canada and Mexico have strong economic, political, and cultural ties. Many Canadians want to work or do business in Mexico. Others want to have a destination wedding or retire on the beach in Mexico. In any case, proper paperwork is a must, and your Canadian documents must go through a specialized validation process before Mexican authorities will accept them.
Why Apostille of Canadian documents is needed
Official documents issued by Canadian authorities must be certified as valid and legitimate before Mexican authorities will accept them for processing. There is a streamlined document validation process called “Apostille” that is followed in countries that have signed the Hague Apostille Convention Mexico is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, but Canada is not. That means you cannot get an Apostille certificate for a Canadian document. Instead, Canadian documents must go through a multi-step document validation process known as “authentication and legalization” to make them legally valid in Mexico. The process is discussed below.
Why you might need Apostille of Canadian documents
There are many personal and business reasons you may need to get the Canadian equivalent of an Apostille certificate for a document issued in Canada. Examples include:
- If you want to work in Mexico, you will need to submit validated documents that typically include your birth certificate, diplomas, or transcripts.
- If you want to get married in Mexico, you will need birth certificates, and may also need marriage certificates, divorce certificates and/or death certificates.
- If you want to retire in Mexico, you will need the documents listed above, plus others such as a criminal record check and proof of pension.
- If you want to do business in Mexico, your document needs will vary based on the commercial opportunity. Frequently required documents include certificates of incorporation, tax residency certificates, and corporate resolutions.
Authentication and legalization of documents for Mexico
Authentication of most Canadian public documents is done by Global Affairs Canada. It is highly recommended that you get professional assistance to make sure your document meets the relevant requirements before it is sent to Global Affairs Canada. For example, notarization is often required.
Legalization is done by the Mexican consular office in Canada. The Consulate General of Mexico in Vancouver is authorized to legalize documents issued in BC. The Embassy of Mexico in Ottawa is empowered to legalize documents issued by any Canadian authority. Once the document has been both authenticated and legalized, it is ready for use in Mexico.
Keep in mind that there are fees associated with each step. Payment must be sent in with the document itself. Processing times should also be kept in mind, particularly if your document needs are time-sensitive (an upcoming destination wedding is a great example). Your document may be rejected at any stage if mistakes are made, which will delay the processing time.
Who can help with validating Canadian documents for use in Mexico
The authentication and legalization process is complicated. Procedural mistakes can be costly, leading to delay and frustration. Invicta Law Corporation can help get your documents ready for use in Mexico. Maria Campos LL.M offers the equivalent of Canadian Apostille services to streamline document validation and take the stress out of the process. Contact Invicta Law Corporation today for a quote.
