Apostille Convention & Authentication of Canadian Documents

The Apostille Convention (Hague Convention of 1961) is an international treaty that simplifies the process of validating documents for use abroad. Instead of requiring multiple levels of legalization, documents issued in one member country can be accepted in another with a single certificate called an apostille.

As of January 11, 2024, Canada officially joined the Apostille Convention. This means Canadian public documents—including notarized copies, vital records, and academic transcripts—can now be authenticated with an apostille certificate for use in over 120 member countries.

For documents originating in Nova Scotia, the process is handled directly through Global Affairs Canada. Once your document is notarized, Global Affairs can issue the apostille, confirming the authenticity of the signature and seal. With this certificate, your document is recognized in all participating countries without the need for further embassy or consular legalization.

⚠️ For countries not part of the Apostille Convention, additional steps may still be required.

For full details on how to prepare and submit your documents for apostille authentication, visit:
Authenticate your documents – Government of Canada

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