Apostille is a French word used to refer to the authentication of a document for international use under the terms of the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (the 'Hague Apostille Convention'). Both countries involved in an international transaction must be members of the Apostille Convention, or an Apostille cannot be used. Canada is now a signatory of the Hague Apostille Convention, accordingly, the apostille method is the only way of sending documents from Canada to other Apostille Convention countries. This article will explain more about apostilles, and how Vancovuer Apostille can assist.
The term 'apostille' comes from the word postille (French for, marginal note or notation), which originally came from post illa verba (Latin for, after these words). It is pronounced 'uh-pos-til'.
For important signed documents, such as a power of attorney, a notarization is always required as the document signer must be identified and verified by a lawyer or Notary Public. The notary will view and copy your photo identification, and will physically witness you signing the document. Only then will a notarial certificate be prepared. This also holds true for certified copies of documentation, such as academic transcripts and certificates. A notarization is the first step towards getting an international apostille.
Apostille Convention member countries all agree that a document which has been authenticated with a standard apostille certificate in its country of origin, will be accepted in any other Apostille Convention member country. This removes the need for further evidence to be obtained to prove the documents authenticity, such as consular legalizations.
An apostille is required when a document from one country must be presented in another country. This is often the case with business transactions, property deals, and to settle estates of deceased individuals with overseas assets. Some of the most common documents requiring an apostille are powers of attorney, passports, and birth, marriage and death certificates. The strict requirements of an apostille authentication verifies either the signatory of a document, or a true copy of a document.
Due to the complexities of international notarizations, and the required documentation, Vancouver Apostille specializes in arranging and expediting the entire process on your behalf. In our experience, every apostille file is different, so it isn't a simple procedure. Rather, each case is handled independently, depending on the intended country of use, and their specific documentary and jurisdictional requirements. Each document for each recipient country will be handled differently. Vancouver Apostille deals with all these details, and any additional certification requirements on your behalf. Utilizing our services reduces stress, and gives you speed and certainty.
If a country is not a member of the Apostille Convention, the document must be authenticated by the provincial or federal authorities, and then be legalized by the consulate or embassy of the country where you are sending the document.
Foreign language documentation needs to be translated into English to get an apostille. Whenever a translation is required, it must be done by a BC certified translator. We work closely with certified translators, covering over 80 languages.
Almost any kind of Canadian document can be apostilled by Vancouver Apostille.
Personal examples include: adoption documents, affidavits, bank letters, bills of sale, birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, diplomas, divorce certificates, identity documents, passports, police checks (non-criminal record certificates), powers of attorney, proof of non-marriage and single status documents, property deeds, transcripts, university and college degrees, warrants and authorizations, and wills.
Business examples include: articles of incorporation, assignments, bylaws, certificates of good standing, commercial invoices, patents, and trademarks.
The following countries use authentication and legalization: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China - People's Republic, Comoros, Congo - Dem. Rep., Congo - Rep. Brazzaville, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, East Timor, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea - Bissau, Guinea - Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar/Burma, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
The following countries use Apostille certification: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, China (Hong Kong), China (Macao), Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue (Cook Islands), Norway, Oman, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Vanuatu, Venezuela
Vancouver Apostille's founder and president, Adam Brosgall, is an experienced Vancouver lawyer, Notary Public, and Commissioner of Oaths. He is fully accredited, licensed, and insured to handle international notarizations, authentications, legalizations and apostilles. For further information or to discuss getting your processed by Vancouver Apostille, please send us an email or call 604-685-2326. We look forward to assisting.
