For countries that have not joined the Convention, the two-step process still applies. The list changes as countries accede - verify current membership on hcch.net before treating any country as non-Hague.

Same offices, same process, same fees. The output is a certificate of authentication. Some authorities issue an apostille-format certificate regardless - the embassy in step 2 will review and stamp it either way.

The embassy or consulate in Canada adds its own stamp confirming the Canadian authentication. Each embassy sets its own:

• Required document format
• Translation requirements (Arabic, for Gulf countries; Vietnamese, for Vietnam; and so on)
• Fee schedule
• Processing timeline

There is no standardized step 2. Contact the specific embassy before sending anything. The order is fixed: Canadian authority first, then embassy. Do not send the document directly to the embassy before the Canadian authentication is complete.

Thailand approved its accession to the Convention in late 2025. Confirm its current status on hcch.net before treating it as non-Hague.

Timeline for non-Hague submissions

Full chain - notarization (if required), Canadian authority authentication, embassy attestation, and potentially in-country MOFA attestation - can take six to ten weeks. For employment start dates or visa deadlines, begin as early as possible.