Apostille in Vancouver: 100% Guaranteed Turnkey Document Authentication Services
Vancouver apostille services: authenticate your documents with a certificate for international use—streamlined legalization process.
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What Is the Function of an Apostille in Canada Under the Hague Apostille Convention?
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An apostille is a document that validates the legality of its use in another country.
A document issued in one country must first be authorized before it may be used in another. Legalization is classified into two types: full legalization for international use (a two-step process) and streamlined legalization for global use (a one-step process using an apostille). The Hague Apostille Convention is an important development in this system since it allows member countries to recognize each other's public documents without requiring additional consular legalization.
When the Hague Apostille Convention went into effect in Canada on January 11, 2024, it established an important process for authenticating and legalizing documents, making it easier for countries to accept each other's public documents. An authentication certificate known as an "apostille" now authenticates the origin of Canadian public documents for use outside Canada.
Previously, using Canadian documents in other countries required a two-step legalization process (first, authentication at the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by document legalization at the consulate), which was time-consuming and expensive. On January 11, 2024, the government of Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention, creating a one-step system that simplifies the process of issuing apostilles.
After obtaining an apostille, your document is fully prepared to be used in any other country that is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, such as Canada. This means you no longer need to go to the consulate. This drastically reduces the time and expense of legalization.
If your document's destination country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (e.g., the UAE, Cuba, Jordan), you must undergo consular legalization after obtaining the apostille.
This official website lists all 128 countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention and hence recognize apostilles.
When the Hague Apostille Convention went into effect in Canada on January 11, 2024, it established an important process for authenticating and legalizing documents, making it easier for countries to accept each other's public documents. An authentication certificate known as an "apostille" now authenticates the origin of Canadian public documents for use outside Canada.
Previously, using Canadian documents in other countries required a two-step legalization process (first, authentication at the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by document legalization at the consulate), which was time-consuming and expensive. On January 11, 2024, the government of Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention, creating a one-step system that simplifies the process of issuing apostilles.
After obtaining an apostille, your document is fully prepared to be used in any other country that is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, such as Canada. This means you no longer need to go to the consulate. This drastically reduces the time and expense of legalization.
If your document's destination country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (e.g., the UAE, Cuba, Jordan), you must undergo consular legalization after obtaining the apostille.
This official website lists all 128 countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention and hence recognize apostilles.
The one requirement for using Canadian public documents in many other countries is now an apostille.
The procedure for acquiring an apostille is identical to the prior authentication process. Global Affairs Canada issues apostilles for a wide range of documents, some of which must be apostilled at a provincial Foreign Affairs office. It all relies on the jurisdiction under which the document was issued or notarized.
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Documents issued in British Columbia, or certified by a Canadian Notary (local Notary Public) in British Columbia, that are intended for use in another country.
Which Documents Need To Be Apostilled in Vancouver?
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1) Certificates issued by civil registry offices, for example, certificates of birth, death, marriage, change of first name or last name, etc.
2) All notarial documents, including powers of attorney, statements, etc., which are drawn up or notarized by a notary
3) Diplomas, supplements/addenda/transcripts to diplomas, certificates and other documents related to education
4) Bank statements, court documents, divorce decrees
5) Cremation or burial certificates
6) Corporation registration certificates, bank statements, letters of guarantee from directors of a company, extracts from registers of corporations, certificates for products for export from Canada to other countries
2) All notarial documents, including powers of attorney, statements, etc., which are drawn up or notarized by a notary
3) Diplomas, supplements/addenda/transcripts to diplomas, certificates and other documents related to education
4) Bank statements, court documents, divorce decrees
5) Cremation or burial certificates
6) Corporation registration certificates, bank statements, letters of guarantee from directors of a company, extracts from registers of corporations, certificates for products for export from Canada to other countries
All of these types of documents go through different authentication procedures.
The apostille procedure also includes all cases when a child born in Canada needs to obtain citizenship of another country (Cuba, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, etc.), because in order to obtain citizenship of another country, you'll need to provide a Canadian birth certificate, and it, in turn, will have to be apostilled or legalized (if the country is not a party to the Hague Convention).
The apostille procedure also includes all cases when a child born in Canada needs to obtain citizenship of another country (Cuba, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, etc.), because in order to obtain citizenship of another country, you'll need to provide a Canadian birth certificate, and it, in turn, will have to be apostilled or legalized (if the country is not a party to the Hague Convention).
The most common documents subject to this procedure are:
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What Are the Fees and Time Frames for Apostille Services?
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Global Affairs apostilles documents only from the following provinces and territories:
Documents from the provinces listed below can only be submitted for apostille in the same province:
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Prince Edward Island
- Yukon
Documents from the provinces listed below can only be submitted for apostille in the same province:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
Global Affairs Canada only accepts documents by mail, which takes 20 business days and is free of charge. It is not possible to visit them in person or expedite the procedure.
Alberta only accepts documents by mail, and processing takes 7-10 business days. An apostille for a single document is $25.
Apostille requests in British Columbia are handled by the British Columbia Authentication Program, which is part of the Ministry of Attorney General's Order in Council (OIC) Administration Office. Before submitting, make sure you have all the required paperwork ready, as applications are accepted only by mail or courier. Apostilles, once issued, are used to establish the authenticity of documents authenticated in British Columbia for international use. Processing normally takes 4 to 6 weeks, and the cost of producing an apostille for a single document is $20.
Ontario accepts paperwork both by mail and in person; postal processing takes 15 business days, while in-person processing often takes a few hours. An apostille is $16 for notarized documents and $32 for government-issued documents.
Quebec only accepts documents provided by mail, and processing time is at least 10 business days. An apostille for one document costs $66.50. In Quebec, notarized documents must also go through a mandatory intermediate step: verification of the notary's or lawyer's signature. Verification of the notary's signature is completed at the Chambre des notaires, which takes 20 working days or 72 hours for an extra fee. Verifying a notary's signature at the Chambre des notaires costs between $75 and $201, depending on the speed of processing. The lawyer's signature must be validated by the Quebec Bar (Barreau du Québec). The cost of confirming a lawyer's signature at the Barreau du Québec is $50 + tax, and it takes 5 working days.
Saskatchewan accepts mail applications and typically processes them within 3 to 5 business days. An apostille for a single document costs $50.
Alberta only accepts documents by mail, and processing takes 7-10 business days. An apostille for a single document is $25.
Apostille requests in British Columbia are handled by the British Columbia Authentication Program, which is part of the Ministry of Attorney General's Order in Council (OIC) Administration Office. Before submitting, make sure you have all the required paperwork ready, as applications are accepted only by mail or courier. Apostilles, once issued, are used to establish the authenticity of documents authenticated in British Columbia for international use. Processing normally takes 4 to 6 weeks, and the cost of producing an apostille for a single document is $20.
Ontario accepts paperwork both by mail and in person; postal processing takes 15 business days, while in-person processing often takes a few hours. An apostille is $16 for notarized documents and $32 for government-issued documents.
Quebec only accepts documents provided by mail, and processing time is at least 10 business days. An apostille for one document costs $66.50. In Quebec, notarized documents must also go through a mandatory intermediate step: verification of the notary's or lawyer's signature. Verification of the notary's signature is completed at the Chambre des notaires, which takes 20 working days or 72 hours for an extra fee. Verifying a notary's signature at the Chambre des notaires costs between $75 and $201, depending on the speed of processing. The lawyer's signature must be validated by the Quebec Bar (Barreau du Québec). The cost of confirming a lawyer's signature at the Barreau du Québec is $50 + tax, and it takes 5 working days.
Saskatchewan accepts mail applications and typically processes them within 3 to 5 business days. An apostille for a single document costs $50.
Every provincial government has its own formatting and document translation rules, as well as request forms that must be completed before receiving an apostille. Notarized document certifications are subject to strict standards in certain areas.
In Ontario, the Official Document Services (ODS) office provides one-day apostille services. This requires the document to be produced or signed by a notary in the province of Ontario.
Fortunately, I found out how to apostille any notarized document in Ontario, regardless of the province. To apostille a document in Ontario, it must be signed by a Canadian notary public. You can sign your paperwork with my Ontario notary online, via video call, and you'll receive your apostille within a week.
Documents from other provinces and territories (birth certificates, marriage certificates, degrees, and references) do not have the same apostille processing time as documents issued in Ontario. However, in some cases, including documents from other provinces, I can obtain an apostille certificate in Ontario with a notarized certified copy, saving you time.
I charge $150 to obtain an apostille, regardless of the number of documents in the order.
I usually charge between $49 and $89 per page for translations, depending on the language pair.
There are three choices for the final translation.
1. A direct translation from the original language.
2. Translation and notary services (additional fees apply).
3. Translation + Notary + Apostille (for an extra cost).
Additional expenses will apply, including document shipment (within or outside Canada), notary services (optional), and an apostille from the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
An additional 13% HST tax will be applied on top.
In Ontario, the Official Document Services (ODS) office provides one-day apostille services. This requires the document to be produced or signed by a notary in the province of Ontario.
Fortunately, I found out how to apostille any notarized document in Ontario, regardless of the province. To apostille a document in Ontario, it must be signed by a Canadian notary public. You can sign your paperwork with my Ontario notary online, via video call, and you'll receive your apostille within a week.
Documents from other provinces and territories (birth certificates, marriage certificates, degrees, and references) do not have the same apostille processing time as documents issued in Ontario. However, in some cases, including documents from other provinces, I can obtain an apostille certificate in Ontario with a notarized certified copy, saving you time.
I charge $150 to obtain an apostille, regardless of the number of documents in the order.
I usually charge between $49 and $89 per page for translations, depending on the language pair.
There are three choices for the final translation.
1. A direct translation from the original language.
2. Translation and notary services (additional fees apply).
3. Translation + Notary + Apostille (for an extra cost).
Additional expenses will apply, including document shipment (within or outside Canada), notary services (optional), and an apostille from the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
An additional 13% HST tax will be applied on top.
I provide document authentication, legalization, and apostille services in Vancouver and across Canada, covering major cities and provinces. I can help you authenticate, legalize, or get an apostille for your Canadian documents, no matter where you are in Canada, including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and beyond. From government of Canada-issued documents to corporate and academic records, my worldwide assistance ensures your documents comply with international standards when used outside of Canada.
Document Authentication, Legalization, and Apostille Process Across Canada
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- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Burnaby
- Richmond
- Abbotsford
- Coquitlam
- Kelowna
- Kamloops
- Nanaimo
- Prince George
- Winnipeg
- Brandon
- Steinbach
- Thompson
- Portage la Prairie
- Selkirk
- Winkler
- Morden
- Dauphin
- Flin Flon
- Moncton
- Saint John
- Fredericton
- Dieppe
- Oromocto
- Bathurst
- Miramichi
- Edmundston
- Riverview
- Rothesay
- Montreal
- Quebec City
- Laval
- Gatineau
- Longueuil
- Sherbrooke
- Trois-Rivières
- Saguenay
- Lévis
- Terrebonne
- Saskatoon
- Regina
- Prince Albert
- Moose Jaw
- Swift Current
- Yorkton
- North Battleford
- Estevan
- Weyburn
- Kindersley
- Halifax
- Sydney
- Dartmouth
- Truro
- New Glasgow
- Glace Bay
- Kentville
- Amherst
- Bridgewater
- Yarmouth
- St. John’s
- Mount Pearl
- Corner Brook
- Paradise
- Labrador City
- Marystown
- Deer Lake
- Gander
- Grand Falls-Windsor
- Happy Valley-Goose Bay
- Charlottetown
- Summerside
- Stratford
- Cornwall
- Montague
- Souris
- Alberton
- Tignish
- Kensington
- Georgetown
Here's a sample of the whole procedure for obtaining a turnkey apostille, including fee and processing time.
Example Procedure for Securing an Apostille, Including Fees and Processing Duration
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Document — birth certificate issued in the province of Ontario.
You send me the original document by Xpresspost courier or bring it in person.
I will collect the necessary document package for ODS (provincial ministry in Toronto) and personally go there to apply the apostille.
After receiving the apostille, I will get the apostilled document translated from English and French to ensure the document is fully ready for use in your country.
Some organizations in other countries require that the translation be notarized or apostilled. If you need a notarization of the translation or an apostilled translation, I can do this additionally.
I will send you the documents by courier, or you can pick them up from my office.
Costs:
— For turnkey apostille services, I charge $150.
— For translations, I charge $49-89 per page.
— Notarization of the translation costs $75 per document (Optional).
— The cost of an apostille for a vital statistics document at ODS is $32 per apostille plus a bank fee of $10.
— The cost of one shipment with Xpresspost courier is $25, and it is 1 shipment to you. 1 * $25 = $25.
A 13% tax is added to the final amount.
Timelines:
— Translating a document takes 1-3 days.
— Notarization of the translation takes 1 day (Optional).
— Apostille at ODS is done in 1 business day.
— Delivery of documents by Xpresspost courier usually takes 1-3 days for each shipment.
— For turnkey apostille services, I charge $150.
— For translations, I charge $49-89 per page.
— Notarization of the translation costs $75 per document (Optional).
— The cost of an apostille for a vital statistics document at ODS is $32 per apostille plus a bank fee of $10.
— The cost of one shipment with Xpresspost courier is $25, and it is 1 shipment to you. 1 * $25 = $25.
A 13% tax is added to the final amount.
Timelines:
— Translating a document takes 1-3 days.
— Notarization of the translation takes 1 day (Optional).
— Apostille at ODS is done in 1 business day.
— Delivery of documents by Xpresspost courier usually takes 1-3 days for each shipment.
As a second example, the procedures for getting a "turnkey" apostille, including fee and processing time, are described below.
Second Example Procedure for Securing an Apostille, Including Fees and Processing Duration
The document — diploma issued in the province of Manitoba.
All documents issued or notarized in the following provinces and territories can only be apostilled at Global Affairs Canada (a federal ministry in Ottawa): Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon.
The procedure for apostilling documents through Global Affairs is as follows:
You send me the original document via Xpresspost courier or bring it personally.
I will send the necessary package of documents to Global Affairs Canada (in Ottawa) to apply the apostille.
After receiving the apostille, I will get the apostilled document translated from English and French so that the document is fully ready for use in your country.
Some organizations in other countries require that the translation be notarized or apostilled. If you need a notarization of the translation or an apostilled translation, I can do this additionally.
I will send you the documents by courier, or you can pick them up from my office.
Costs:
— For turnkey apostille services, I charge $150.
— For translations, I charge $49-89 per page.
— Notarization of the translation costs $75 per document (Optional).
— Apostille at Global Affairs is provided for free.
— The cost of one shipment via Xpresspost courier is $25; to Global Affairs and back, and then from me to you — that is 3 shipments. 3 * $25 = $75.
A 13% tax is added to the final amount.
Timelines:
— Translation of the document takes 1-3 days.
— Notarization of the translation takes 1 day (optional).
— Apostille at Global Affairs is usually placed within 20 business days.
— Delivery of documents by Xpresspost courier usually takes 1-3 days per shipment.
There is an alternative option for apostilling documents – through ODS (a provincial ministry in Toronto).
To apostille a document at ODS, a notarized copy of the document (True Copy) must be made by a notary from Ontario; then, the apostille is placed on this copy, not on the original. Some consulates and countries allow apostilling of notarized copies instead of originals, but not all.
Please check with the consulate of your country if this option suits you, and if yes, then the apostille process will take just one week.
— For turnkey apostille services, I charge $150.
— For translations, I charge $49-89 per page.
— Notarization of the translation costs $75 per document (Optional).
— Apostille at Global Affairs is provided for free.
— The cost of one shipment via Xpresspost courier is $25; to Global Affairs and back, and then from me to you — that is 3 shipments. 3 * $25 = $75.
A 13% tax is added to the final amount.
Timelines:
— Translation of the document takes 1-3 days.
— Notarization of the translation takes 1 day (optional).
— Apostille at Global Affairs is usually placed within 20 business days.
— Delivery of documents by Xpresspost courier usually takes 1-3 days per shipment.
There is an alternative option for apostilling documents – through ODS (a provincial ministry in Toronto).
To apostille a document at ODS, a notarized copy of the document (True Copy) must be made by a notary from Ontario; then, the apostille is placed on this copy, not on the original. Some consulates and countries allow apostilling of notarized copies instead of originals, but not all.
Please check with the consulate of your country if this option suits you, and if yes, then the apostille process will take just one week.
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Apostille certificates in Canada vary widely by issuing province or territory, but they all serve the same purpose: verifying the authenticity of a document for international use. Global Affairs Canada, as well as provincial agencies in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, issued the apostille certificates indicated below. The samples demonstrate how each region produced and presented its official apostille.
What is the Appearance of Apostilles on Canadian Documents Across Various Provinces?
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Here is an example of an apostille issued by Global Affairs:
Here are some examples of apostilles issued by the Province of Ontario:
And this is what an apostille issued by the province of Alberta looks like:
This is what an apostille looks like issued by an office in Victoria in British Columbia:
This is what an apostille issued in Quebec looks like:
Example of an apostille from Saskatchewan:
Apostille on a Birth Certificate
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Short Form without parental names
(document is blue, approximately A5 size)
(document is blue, approximately A5 size)
Short Form with parents' names
(document is blue, approximately A5 size)
(document is blue, approximately A5 size)
Long Form
(document is white, Legal size — approximately 1.5 A4 sheets in height)
(document is white, Legal size — approximately 1.5 A4 sheets in height)
-1-
-2-
-3-
— this certificate will NOT be suitable for use anywhere, as it lacks information about the parents
— usually suitable for consulates and for other purposes
— usually suitable for consulates
Note that Canadian birth certificates come in three forms:
For applying for citizenship at a consulate, usually only the Long Form of the birth certificate or the Short Form with parents’ names is suitable.
Typically, Canadian birth certificates are apostilled in order to apply for citizenship at your country’s consulate.
How to issue a power of attorney for someone who is in another country while you are in Canada?
Please read the detailed procedure with prices and terms on a separate page
Please read the detailed procedure with prices and terms on a separate page
Latest Information on Vancouver Apostille, Translation, Authentication and Legalization Services
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Frequently Asked Questions
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The Hague Apostille Convention states that a document may be ineligible for an apostille if it was not issued or notarized by a recognized authority.
An apostille is valid only for public documents issued by competent authorities, such as vital records, legal documents, or documents issued by the Canadian government. Private documents, religious documents, and uncertified copies are usually rejected unless notarized by an authorized official.
If the document was issued outside of Canada, you may need to submit it to the relevant embassy or consulate instead of getting an apostille in Canada.
An apostille is valid only for public documents issued by competent authorities, such as vital records, legal documents, or documents issued by the Canadian government. Private documents, religious documents, and uncertified copies are usually rejected unless notarized by an authorized official.
If the document was issued outside of Canada, you may need to submit it to the relevant embassy or consulate instead of getting an apostille in Canada.
Yes, in several situations, you must have copies prepared or documents notarized by a notary public before applying for an apostille. Notarization is commonly required to authenticate an affidavit or certify that a document is an exact copy of the original. Once the notary confirms its authenticity, a notarized copy is issued and certified by the appropriate authorities for apostille processing. Without proper notarization—particularly for personal, business, or educational documents—your documents may be rejected for apostille or legalization.
If the document is written in a language other than English or French, it must be translated before the apostille process may proceed. A member of a recognized translators' association must complete and approve the translation to ensure its accuracy. Certain countries require the translation to be apostilled, but others merely require the original document to be apostilled, with the translation attached later. This method ensures that foreign authorities can easily read the document once it has been acknowledged in another country.
No, an apostille does not verify or prove the accuracy of a document. Instead, it is used to authenticate documents by determining whether the signature and seal or stamp are those of a recognized authority or notary. This means that, even if a foreign document is apostilled, the certification merely confirms its origin and authenticity, not the accuracy of the information it contains.
An apostille has no expiration date; nonetheless, the validity period is determined by the document on which it is based. Even if the apostille remains valid, time-sensitive documents, such as police certificates or medical reports, lose their effectiveness after expiration. If the document is intended for use in a country that still requires consular authentication and legalization process, contact the consulate or embassy to confirm the specific validity requirements.
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* DISCLAIMER
I guarantee that all my work will be completed accurately and to the fullest extent possible, based solely on the official information available from government institutions and official websites. However, I do not and cannot guarantee the actions, timelines, or performance of third-party entities such as government offices (including those processing apostilles, authentication, and legalization, such as Global Affairs, Ontario Document Services, etc.), Canada Post, courier services, Chambre des notaires du Québec (CNQ), Barreau du Québec, embassies and consulates, notaries, and lawyers. I cannot be held responsible for delays, errors, or failures on their part.
The information and services described on this page do not constitute legal advice, legal services, or legal representation as defined under the Law Society Act of Ontario. I am not a licensed lawyer, paralegal, or notary, do not represent myself as such, and am not licensed by the Law Society of Ontario.
The information provided is compiled from official sources and presented strictly “as is.” The services offered here are limited to assisting clients with translation services, document collection, form preparation, and shipping coordination.
Clients are encouraged to consult a licensed legal professional (lawyer, paralegal, or notary) in their country, province or territory for any legal advice or representation.
By using the services described on this page, clients confirm their understanding and acceptance of these terms and agree to release the service provider (including any representatives, agents, heirs, or successors) from any legal liability related to the use of these services or the information presented herein.
I guarantee that all my work will be completed accurately and to the fullest extent possible, based solely on the official information available from government institutions and official websites. However, I do not and cannot guarantee the actions, timelines, or performance of third-party entities such as government offices (including those processing apostilles, authentication, and legalization, such as Global Affairs, Ontario Document Services, etc.), Canada Post, courier services, Chambre des notaires du Québec (CNQ), Barreau du Québec, embassies and consulates, notaries, and lawyers. I cannot be held responsible for delays, errors, or failures on their part.
The information and services described on this page do not constitute legal advice, legal services, or legal representation as defined under the Law Society Act of Ontario. I am not a licensed lawyer, paralegal, or notary, do not represent myself as such, and am not licensed by the Law Society of Ontario.
The information provided is compiled from official sources and presented strictly “as is.” The services offered here are limited to assisting clients with translation services, document collection, form preparation, and shipping coordination.
Clients are encouraged to consult a licensed legal professional (lawyer, paralegal, or notary) in their country, province or territory for any legal advice or representation.
By using the services described on this page, clients confirm their understanding and acceptance of these terms and agree to release the service provider (including any representatives, agents, heirs, or successors) from any legal liability related to the use of these services or the information presented herein.
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I will answer all your questions about the apostille