What is an apostille in Canada and when is it required?

An apostille in Canada is an official certification that confirms a Canadian document is genuine and legally valid for use in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. It is required when Canadian documents such as birth certificates, degrees, marriage certificates, or RCMP criminal record checks are submitted abroad.

How do I know if my destination country needs an apostille or legalization?

If your destination country is a Hague Convention member, you need an apostille. If it is not a member, your document must go through authentication by Global Affairs Canada followed by embassy legalization. Globeia verifies destination requirements before starting the process to avoid errors or rejections.

Who issues apostille certificates in Canada?

Apostille certificates in Canada are issued by Global Affairs Canada or designated provincial authorities, depending on the type and origin of the document. Federal documents such as RCMP checks are typically processed federally, while some notarized documents may qualify for a provincial apostille.

How long does it take to get an apostille in Canada?

The apostille processing time in Canada varies based on document type and issuing authority. Provincial apostilles can take 24 hours to 4 weeks, while federal apostilles through Global Affairs Canada usually take 2-3 weeks, subject to government backlogs.

Can I get an apostille for old or previously issued Canadian documents?

Yes. Most Canadian documents issued years ago can still be apostilled, provided they are official, legible, and meet current requirements. In some cases, re-issuance or notarization may be needed before apostille - Globeia reviews this before submission.

Do RCMP criminal record checks require an apostille for international use?

Yes. An RCMP-certified criminal record check often requires an apostille in Canada when submitted for immigration, residency, or employment abroad. Globeia assists with both RCMP fingerprinting and apostille processing, ensuring global acceptance.

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Globeia Canada Apostille Services

Simplify your international document authentication with Globeia’s Canada Apostille services. From notarization to translation, we handle every step securely and efficiently, ensuring global acceptance of your documents.

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Globeia

December 23, 2025 • 5 min read

When your future crosses borders, your documents must follow and they must be accepted without question. Whether you are relocating abroad, pursuing education overseas, expanding a business internationally, or applying for immigration or visas, apostille in Canada is no longer optional - it is essential. Globeia’s Canada Apostille Services are designed to remove complexity, uncertainty, and delays from the document authentication process, giving you confidence that your Canadian documents will be recognized worldwide.

With a strong office presence in Canada, a decade of experience, and thousands of successfully processed cases, Globeia has become a trusted name for apostille services in Canada and worldwide. From personal documents to professional, academic, and commercial records, we manage the entire apostille process end-to-end - securely, accurately, and efficiently.

What Is an Apostille in Canada?

An apostille is an official certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document so it can be legally accepted in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Once a document is apostilled, it does not require further legalization by embassies or consulates of participating countries.

In Canada, apostille services became available after Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention in January 2024. Apostilles are issued by Global Affairs Canada or designated provincial authorities, depending on where the document was issued or notarized.

Globeia ensures your documents are routed to the correct authority the first time, avoiding costly errors or rejections.

Authentication vs Legalization vs Apostille in Canada

Aspect	Apostille in Canada	Authentication in Canada	Legalization
When It Is Required	When the destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention	When the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention	Required after authentication for non-Hague countries
Purpose	Confirms the authenticity of a Canadian document for international use	Verifies that the document and signature are legitimate	Confirms acceptance of the authenticated document by the destination country
Issuing Authority in Canada	Global Affairs Canada or designated provincial authorities	Global Affairs Canada	Embassy or Consulate of the destination country
Number of Steps	Single-step process	First step in a multi-step process	Final step after authentication
Countries Covered	Hague Convention countries (e.g., Spain, France, Germany, Australia)	Non-Hague countries (e.g., UAE, Qatar, China, Saudi Arabia)	Same non-Hague countries requiring embassy validation
Time and Complexity	Faster and simpler compared to other methods	Moderate processing time	Longer processing due to embassy involvement
Document Acceptance	Directly accepted in all Hague countries	Not valid alone for use abroad	Required for final acceptance
Common Use Cases	Immigration, study abroad, marriage, and work permits	Employment, business, residency in non-Hague countries	Business, visas, legal or government submissions
How Globeia Helps	Identifies eligible documents and obtains the apostille efficiently	Manages authentication with Global Affairs Canada	Handles embassy legalization end-to-end

Why You Need Apostille Services in Canada

Canadian documents are valid domestically, but they are not automatically accepted abroad. Foreign governments, universities, employers, and legal authorities require apostilled or authenticated documents to confirm legitimacy.

You may need a Canada apostille for:

Immigration and visa applications
Overseas employment or work permits
International education admissions
Marriage or family sponsorship abroad
Business expansion and trade
Foreign property transactions
Legal matters and court submissions

Without apostille services, your documents may be rejected, delayed, or deemed invalid.

Globeia’s Step-by-Step Canada Apostille Process

Globeia offers a structured, transparent, and client-friendly apostille process in Canada.

Step 1: Complete Globeia’s Smart Form

Clients begin by completing Globeia’s online application, providing document details and destination country information. This allows our team to determine whether apostille, authentication, or legalization is required.

Step 2: Upload Documents for Expert Review

You upload scanned copies of your documents for a pre-verification check. Globeia’s specialists review them for format, notarization needs, and authority requirements - reducing the risk of rejection.

Step 3: Secure Payment via Globeia Portal

Once confirmed, payment is completed securely through Globeia’s Smart portal. Pricing is transparent, competitive, and based on document type and jurisdiction.

Step 4: Mail Original Documents Securely

Original documents are mailed to Globeia’s secure processing facility using tracked shipping. Your documents are handled with strict confidentiality.

Step 5: Apostille Completion and Return Delivery

Globeia manages the entire apostille process with Global Affairs Canada or provincial authorities and returns your completed documents via secure delivery.

Documents Eligible for Apostille Services in Canada

Globeia handles a wide range of apostille documents in Canada, including:

1.Personal and Vital Records

Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Divorce certificates
Death certificates
Name change certificates
Affidavits and court orders

2.Academic and Professional Documents

Degrees and diplomas
Transcripts
School report cards
Professional licenses
RCMP Certified Criminal Record Checks

3.Legal and Commercial Documents

Powers of Attorney
Notarial acts
Business incorporation documents
Articles of Association
Commercial agreements
Bank statements

Additional Services Offered by Globeia

Globeia is more than an apostille service provider - we are a complete document compliance partner.

Notarization Services in Canada: If your document requires notarization before apostille, Globeia provides in-person and online notarization services, reducing delays and coordination hassles.

Certified Translation Services: For countries requiring documents in languages other than English or French, Globeia offers certified translations with transparent pricing based on word count.

Authentication and Legalization for Non-Hague Countries: For destinations outside the Hague Convention, Globeia manages authentication with Global Affairs Canada and legalization through embassies or consulates.

Can Apostille Be Rejected? How Globeia Prevents It

Yes, apostille applications in Canada can be rejected or delayed if documents do not meet strict government requirements. Common reasons for rejection include submitting photocopies instead of original documents, using improperly notarized records, selecting the wrong issuing authority (provincial vs federal), or failing to meet destination country requirements under the Hague Apostille Convention. In some cases, documents issued many years ago or containing inconsistencies in names, dates, or signatures may also require re-issuance or additional verification before they are eligible for apostille.

Globeia prevents these issues through a structured pre-verification process. Before any original document is submitted, Globeia’s specialists review scanned copies to confirm eligibility, verify notarization standards, and determine the correct authority for apostille in Canada. Destination country requirements are assessed upfront to ensure full compliance with international standards. This expert-led approach significantly reduces the risk of rejection, resubmission, or costly delays, allowing clients to complete the apostille process accurately the first time.

Why Choose Globeia for Apostille Services in Canada?

Globeia is a trusted name in Canada Apostille Services because of our expertise, infrastructure, and client-first approach.

End-to-end document handling under one roof, minimizing delays and errors.
SmartForm application and real-time Smart Portal tracking for complete transparency.
Experienced specialists with global compliance knowledge for smooth international acceptance.
Secure document handling with encrypted storage, verified transport, and strict confidentiality.
Officially recognized by Global Affairs Canada and trusted for federal and provincial apostilles.
Competitive, transparent pricing with no hidden fees or surprises.
Expert pre-verification to prevent rejections and ensure first-time approval.
Dedicated client support throughout the apostille process.

Globeia Office in Canada

Address: 1185 Victoria Park Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4B 2K5

Our professional office environment ensures secure document handling and direct communication with our expert team.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Apostille in Canada

Submitting photocopies instead of original documents
Using documents that are improperly notarized
Choosing the wrong authority for an apostille
Ignoring destination country requirements
Delaying translation or notarization steps

Globeia helps clients avoid these errors through expert pre-verification.

Conclusion

When accuracy, compliance, and global acceptance matter, Globeia delivers. Our Canada Apostille Services are built to support individuals and businesses navigating international requirements with confidence. From apostille in Canada to notarization, translation, and legalization, Globeia ensures your documents are ready for the world.

Start your Canada Apostille process with Globeia today and move forward globally - without delays or uncertainty.

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