What happened
Canada acceded to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents — the Apostille Convention — and it entered into force for Canada on 11 January 2024. For documents going to other member countries, a single apostille certificate now replaces the older multi-step consular legalization process.
Who issues an apostille in Ontario
For documents from Ontario, apostilles are issued by the province’s Official Documents Services, and Global Affairs Canada issues apostilles at the federal level. Which one applies depends on the document. The apostille is placed on the public document (or on a notarial certificate attached to it), not on the person.
What it means in practice
If your notarized or certified document is destined for another Convention country, you generally need one apostille rather than a chain of authentication and embassy legalization. That is faster and cheaper for many people. Countries that are not party to the Convention still use the older legalization route.
What hasn’t changed
An apostille certifies the origin of a public document — the signature, seal or stamp on it — not its contents, and it does not make a document acceptable for a purpose the receiving country would otherwise reject. You still commission or notarize the underlying document correctly first; the apostille comes after.
Getting it right the first time
If you know a document is going abroad, say so when you have it commissioned or notarized, so it is prepared in a form the apostille authority will accept. Doing it in the wrong order is the most common reason people have to start over.
Sources
General information only — not legal advice. Requirements depend on your document and the institution receiving it; we confirm what applies before you book.