Understanding Document Legalization in Canada: Why Apostilles Don’t Apply and What to Do Instead
Canada is not a member of the 1961 Hague Convention, which simplifies document recognition between countries through an apostille. This means that apostilles are not used in Canada, and instead, a consular legalization process is required for foreign documents.
How to Legalize Documents for Canada?
If a document was issued outside of Canada and needs to be used in Canadian institutions, it must go through the consular legalization process. This involves two main steps:
1. Document Authentication in the Country of Issue
• The document must first be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country where it was issued. For example, if the document was issued in the U.S., it must be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.
2. Legalization at a Canadian Consulate or Embassy
• After authentication, the document must be submitted to the Canadian consulate or embassy in the country of issue for final legalization.
Which Documents Require Legalization?
For purposes such as studying, working, immigration, or official procedures, the following documents may require legalization:
• Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates
• Diplomas and academic transcripts
• Police clearance certificates
• Name change documents
• Wills, powers of attorney, and notarized documents
What About Documents Issued in Canada?
If a Canadian document needs to be used in a country that requires an apostille (such as France, Germany, or the U.S.), it must first be legalized through Global Affairs Canada (Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and then authenticated at the consulate of the country where it will be used.
Will There Be Any Changes in the Future?
There have been discussions about Canada joining the Hague Convention, but no official changes have been made yet. For now, documents for use in Canada still require consular legalization rather than an apostille.
