Italy tightened citizenship-by-descent eligibility rules in early 2025. New conditions were introduced and each consulate now has annual caps on adult citizenship applications. Before preparing apostilled documents for an Italian citizenship file, verify current eligibility and appointment availability with the relevant Italian consulate. Document preparation costs - apostille fees, notarization, translations - can total several thousand dollars. Spending that on a file that does not currently qualify is a preventable loss.

Thailand approved accession to the Convention in late 2025. Confirm its formal entry-into-force date on hcch.net before treating it as a Hague-member destination. Additional countries have expressed interest in joining. The list at hcch.net is the authoritative source - check it at the time of submission.

Canada's apostille authorities have indicated future development of electronic apostille issuance. No implementation date has been announced as of mid-2026. When it becomes available, the physical process will remain available. e-Apostilles will be an additional option in the initial rollout.

The online verification register launched in 2025 covers GAC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC. Ontario ODS and Quebec's Ministère de la Justice are not yet included. Watch for announcements about their inclusion - it will enable receiving parties in other countries to verify Ontario and Quebec apostilles in real time without contacting the issuing office.

The federal government can designate additional provincial competent authorities at any time. Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and New Brunswick may eventually build out their own offices. If a province gains its own designation, documents from that province that currently route through GAC will need to go to the new provincial authority. Check GAC's authentication page for the current list at the time of any submission.