Canada is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention (in force since 11 January 2024). A U.S. public document bound for Canada needs a single apostille from the competent authority of the state that issued or notarized it, or from the U.S. Department of State for federal documents. No embassy or consular legalization is required, and Canada's authorities cannot demand one.
Acceded 2023-05-12; in force 2024-01-11 (HCCH). Before that date Canada accepted US documents only after consular authentication.
The route, step by step
- Identify the issuing office
State or local signature → that state’s competent authority. Federal signature → U.S. Department of State. How to tell.
- Prepare the right version
Certified copies for vital and court records; complete notarization for private documents. Preparation checklist.
- Request the apostille
Name Canada as the destination on the request form so the office issues an apostille (not an authentication certificate).
- Translate if required
Confirm with the receiving office in Canada whether a translation is needed and by whom it must be made.
Using U.S. documents in Canada
Canada acceded to the Convention with effect from 11 January 2024. Before that, U.S. documents for use in Canada were simply notarized or authenticated and accepted directly by most Canadian authorities, which remains true for many purposes — IRCC immigration applications do not require apostilles on U.S. documents. Apostilles are now requested mainly by provincial vital statistics offices (registering marriages or births), land registries and courts (POAs, probate), professional regulators and universities for some documents.
Canadian apostilles for the reverse direction are issued by Global Affairs Canada and by the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan for their own documents. Quebec authorities require French translations by a member of OTTIAQ for many documents; elsewhere English suffices. Global Affairs Canada runs an online verification service for Canadian apostilles.
Why U.S. documents are sent to Canada
- permanent residence / Express Entry
- spousal sponsorship
- work or study permits
- marriage in Canada
- Canadian citizenship for children
Canada-specific points
- Canada joined the Convention effective 2024-01-11; Global Affairs Canada and provincial offices (e.g., Ontario ODS) issue Canadian apostilles.
- Canadian offices do not authenticate foreign documents; US documents must be apostilled in the US (ontario.ca).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an apostille or legalization for Canada?
An apostille. Canada is a Hague Convention member, so no embassy legalization is needed.
Who issues the apostille for Canada?
The U.S. state that issued or notarized the document, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — never a U.S. embassy, and never Canada’s embassy.
Does Canada require a translation?
Requirements vary by the receiving authority in Canada; translate after the apostille with the translator type they specify.
