Since Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024, most documents destined for Convention countries need just a single apostille. For non-Convention countries, the older authentication + foreign consulate legalisation process still applies — we handle both.
Before January 11, 2024, a Canadian document destined for use abroad needed two stamps: authentication by Global Affairs Canada, then legalisation by the receiving country's consulate or embassy. Slow, expensive, and country-by-country.
With Canada's accession to the Hague Apostille Convention, a single apostille certificate replaces both steps for documents destined for any of the 120+ Convention parties. For Ontario- issued documents, the apostille is issued by Ontario's Official Documents Services (ODS). For federal documents and documents from Alberta, BC, or Saskatchewan, the apostille comes from Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Non-Convention countries still need the old authentication + consulate legalisation process — we handle that path too.
Which path applies depends on where the document was issued (Ontario / federal / other province) and where it's going (Convention country or not).
Ontario-issued documents going to Convention countries.
Federal docs + AB / BC / SK docs going to Convention countries.
Older authentication + legalisation path still applies.
Plan for at least 3–4 weeks end-to-end for an Ontario apostille (more for non- Convention countries that need consulate legalisation on top). Expedited paths exist for some categories at extra cost.
We identify whether the destination is a Hague Convention party, what the receiving party (employer, school, government, court) needs, and whether the underlying document needs to be notarised before authentication.
Many documents need to be a true copy or include a notarised signature before ODS or GAC will issue an apostille. We notarise in-house. Some new categories don't require notarisation — we confirm at intake.
Ontario documents go to ODS; federal and AB/BC/SK documents go to GAC. For non-Convention destinations, GAC issues an authentication, and the document then goes to the foreign consulate.
ODS standard processing is approximately 15 business days. For Convention countries, the apostille is the final step. For non-Convention countries, the document then goes to the receiving country's consulate or embassy for legalisation.
For apostille files, the document itself is the main thing — plus ID. The destination determines whether anything extra is needed.
Ontario ODS apostille fees are set per document and depend on document type. Global Affairs Canada does not currently charge a separate apostille fee. Foreign consulate legalisation (for non-Convention destinations) is charged by each consulate at their own rates.
Courier fees between Ontario, Ottawa, and any consulates are billed separately at cost. Expedited processing options vary by authority.
Tell us what the document is and the destination country. We'll confirm the right route — Ontario ODS, federal GAC, or non-Convention legalisation — and the timeline.