Processing times for Apostilles to be improved

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Canadian government announced it will join the Apostille Convention in order to improve the time required to authenticate certain documents.

Key Points:

• Beginning Jan. 11, 2024, the Apostille Convention will enter into force for Canada.
• Individuals will receive a single Apostille certificate by a Competent Authority in the country where the document originated.
• Individuals will need an Apostille if all of the following apply:
  • The country where the document was issued and the country where the document is to be used have joined the Apostille Convention.
  • The law of the country where the document was issued considers it a public document.
  • The country that will use the document requires an Apostille to recognize it as a foreign public document.
• Canadian documents will continue to be authenticated according to the specific legalization requirements of their countries of destination and the procedures currently in place until Jan. 11.

Additional Information: The electronic Apostille Program was launched in 2006 to support the electronic issuance and verification of Apostilles around the world. Canada will join 123 other countries who are a part of the Convention. More information on the Apostille Convention is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Canadian government has joined the Apostille Convention with intent to improve and ease the time required to authenticate certain public documents.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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