What is an Apostille?
An apostille is a special certificate issued by a government that verifies the authenticity of a public document, such as a birth certificate, marriage license, or notarized document. It ensures that the document will be recognized in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
In other words, if you’re using a document abroad for legal, business, or personal reasons, an apostille confirms that it’s legitimate and valid.
Only countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961 accept apostilles. If the country you’re dealing with is not part of the Convention, you may need a different form of authentication or legalization.
What is an Authentication and Legalization?
Authentication and legalization is a two-step process used to verify the validity of a public document so it can be used in a foreign country that is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Authentication: This step confirms that the signature, seal, or stamp on your document is genuine. It’s usually done by a government authority, such as Global Affairs Canada or the U.S. Department of State.
- Legalization: After authentication, the document is sent to the embassy or consulate of the destination country, where it is legalized (approved) for official use abroad.
This process is often required for documents like birth certificates, powers of attorney, diplomas, and corporate records being used internationally for immigration, business, or legal purposes.
How it works & Pricing
Schedule an appointment with our apostille specialists to have your documents professionally notarized and prepared. Once notarized, we handle the entire process of obtaining the apostille through Global Affairs Canada or Ministry of Public and Business Services/Official Document Services (ODS), depending on the document type and destination country.
You’ll receive your fully completed, apostilled documents—accurate, compliant, and ready for international use.
Pricing:
– $196.00 for the first document
– $30.00 for each additional document
Is your document being used in a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention? Click below to see the list of participating countries.