Apostille & Legalization

Since January 11, 2024, Canada has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. The old three-step process — notarization, authentication, then legalization at an embassy or consulate — has been replaced by a single apostille for documents used in member countries, including mainland China. For countries outside the Convention, we still handle authentication and consular legalization.

What's included

Document review

We check the document type, where it was issued and the destination country to confirm the right route.

Notarization

Notarized true copies, affidavits and statutory declarations prepared with a B.C. notary or lawyer when required.

Certified translation

Arranging certified translations for documents not in English or French.

Apostille application

Submission to the B.C. Ministry of Attorney General or Global Affairs Canada, depending on the document.

Consular legalization

Authentication and embassy or consulate legalization for countries that are not party to the Convention.

Delivery & tracking

Secure courier to and from the authorities, with status updates along the way.

How it works

1Send us your document details and destination country
2We review, notarize and translate as needed
3We obtain the apostille or legalization and return your documents

Documents we can help with

Personal & civil records

Birth, marriage and death certificates (original B.C. Vital Statistics certificates)
Divorce certificates and orders
Adoption and change-of-name records
Single-status and other statutory declarations
Criminal record checks (RCMP and B.C.)
Notarized copies of identity documents

Education

Diplomas and degrees
Transcripts
K-12 school records
Professional licences and certificates (notarized copies)

Legal & court documents

Court orders and judgments
Powers of attorney
Affidavits and statutory declarations
Travel consent letters for minors

Corporate & commercial

Certificates of incorporation and good standing
Articles, Notice of Articles and registry records
Federal corporation documents (Corporations Canada)
Board resolutions and other corporate documents (notarized)
Contracts, invoices and other commercial documents (notarized)

Documents that cannot be apostilled

Photocopies without an original signature or seal
Notarized copies of B.C. Vital Statistics certificates — the original certificate is required
Religious documents, such as baptismal certificates
Laminated or glued documents
Documents issued outside Canada — these must be authenticated in the issuing country

Pricing

Plans and pricing are coming soon. Contact us for a quote.

Frequently asked questions

What is an apostille?: An apostille is a certificate that confirms the signature and seal on a public document so it is accepted in other Convention countries. It replaces the old multi-step authentication and legalization process.
Do documents for China still need consulate legalization?: No. Mainland China joined the Convention on November 7, 2023, so Canadian documents for use in mainland China only need an apostille. Hong Kong and Macao also accept apostilles.
Who issues the apostille?: Documents issued or notarized in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan are apostilled by that province. Federal documents and documents from other provinces and territories are apostilled by Global Affairs Canada.
What if my destination country is not in the Convention?: Your document is authenticated in Canada and then legalized by that country's embassy or consulate. Membership changes over time, so we confirm the current status of your destination before we start.
How long does it take?: It depends on the issuing authority and, for legalization, the consulate — usually a few weeks. We will give you an estimate when we review your documents.

Need a document apostilled?

Tell us about your business and we'll help you find the right setup.