Canada is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, and therefore does not issue apostilles, Ontario legalization. The reason Canada has not signed the Hague Apostille Convention is because the way that the relationship between provinces and the federal government is structured. In order to sign the Hague Convention, Canada would need to coordinate the agreement of all provinces, which is no easy task. The 115 countries that have signed this convention do issue apostilles. A document that has been apostilled is legally certified for use in any other country that has signed the convention.

The Canadian version of the apostille process is called document authentication and legalization. Authenticating and legalizing a Canadian document typically involves three steps:

Can I Get apostille for a novelty Canada diploma?

Step 1 – Prepare your document for processing. This can require some or all of the following: notarizing your document, having a certified true copy made, translating your document, and providing required supporting documents.

Step 2 – Authenticate your document at Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa, novelty Canada authentication. When your document is presented to Global Affairs Canada, they confirm the authenticity of the signature on your document and that your document meets their other requirements. If your document meets their requirements they place a large red stamp directly on it, confirming it has been authenticated.

Step 3 – Legalize your document at the embassy or consulate of the country in which you will be using your document. The consular staff confirm that the authentication stamp on your document is valid and that your document meets their specific requirements. When they are satisfied, the embassy or consulate places a stamp or a certificate directly on your document, confirming it has been legalized.