Canada is not a Hague Convention member — Canadian documents cannot be apostilled. Instead, they require Global Affairs Canada authentication + consular legalization. We manage the full chain remotely.
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What type of Canadian document do you need authenticated?
Canada has not joined the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. This means Canadian documents cannot receive an apostille. Instead, they require a two-step process:
Note: Even if your destination country is a Hague member (like Spain), Canadian documents still require this two-step chain because the authentication starts in Canada, which is not a Hague member.
Canada is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Canadian documents require a two-step process: authentication by Global Affairs Canada, then consular legalization. We manage the full chain.
Spain is a Hague member — but Canada is not. This means your Canadian documents can't be apostilled. Instead, they need Global Affairs Canada authentication plus legalization by the Spanish consulate in Canada.
Whether your destination is Spain, Latin America, or elsewhere, Canadian documents require the authentication + legalization chain. We know each consulate's specific requirements.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Canadian document (or certified copy) | Provincial vital statistics, RCMP, universities, courts, etc. | Varies by document type | Must be original or notarially certified. Canadian documents do not receive apostilles — they require the authentication + legalization chain. |
| Authentication by Global Affairs Canada | Global Affairs Canada — Authentication Services | 15–20 business days standard / 5–10 business days rush | This is Canada's equivalent of apostille — a federal authentication of the document's issuing authority. Required before consular legalization. |
| Consular legalization by destination country embassy/consulate | Embassy or consulate of the document's destination country in Canada | 3–15 business days depending on consulate | After Global Affairs Canada authentication, the document is legalized by the consulate of the country where it will be used. Each consulate has different requirements and fees. |
| Certified translation (if required) | Certified translator (CTTIC member) | 1–3 business days | Required for use in non-English/French-speaking countries. |
We confirm Canada is not a Hague member for your document type and plan the full authentication + legalization chain for your specific destination country.
We submit your document to Global Affairs Canada's Authentication Services. This is the federally required first step for all Canadian documents going abroad.
After Global Affairs Canada authentication, we submit the document to the consulate of your destination country in Canada for legalization. Timelines and requirements vary by consulate.
Translation coordinated in parallel where needed. Final documents delivered by tracked international courier to your address.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
No. Canada is not a member of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention and does not issue apostilles. Canadian documents require a different process: authentication by Global Affairs Canada (the federal authority) followed by consular legalization by the embassy or consulate of the country where the document will be used.
Global Affairs Canada authentication is Canada's equivalent of apostille for Hague non-member countries. It is a federal certification of the document's authenticity that must be obtained before consular legalization. All Canadian documents going abroad require this step.
Spain is a Hague Convention member. For Canadian documents, the process is: 1) Global Affairs Canada authentication, then 2) legalization by the Spanish consulate in Canada (typically in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver). We manage both steps.
Global Affairs Canada processing takes 15–20 business days standard or 5–10 business days with rush service. Consular legalization adds 3–15 business days depending on the consulate. Total: approximately 20–35 business days.
Yes. The RCMP accepts fingerprint-based requests by mail from abroad. The process is similar to the US FBI check — you submit fingerprints and the RCMP issues a certified criminal record check (Certified Criminal Record Check / CPIC). We guide you through the full process remotely.
Yes. We coordinate the entire authentication + legalization chain on your behalf. For documents requiring physical submission to Global Affairs Canada or consulates, we use our Canadian partner network. You do not need to be in Canada.
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