International Standardization Of Document Authentication Now In Effect In Canada

The Apostille Convention, an international treaty intended to simplify the certification of foreign documents, came into effect in Canada on January 11, 2024, and introduced into Canada for the first time a standardized certificate known as an apostille for authenticated documents. An apostille demonstrates the authenticity of a public document, such as a birth certificate or other document issued by a government authority. The Apostille Convention has already been in effect in other countries for many years since the convention was first signed in 1965.

The introduction of the Convention in Canada will be of interest to charities and not-for-profit organizations which may need to have Canadian-issued documents for their volunteers or employees authenticated in other countries where the convention is in effect, as the process is now much simpler. Global Affairs Canada will issue apostilles for documents issued by the Government of Canada, as well as documents issued