Apostille

I. On March 8, 2023,China acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (hereinafter referred to as the Convention).Starting from January 11, 2024,the Convention entered into force between China and Canada.The Convention will continue to apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR of China.

II. Starting from January 11, 2024, public documents within the scope of the Convention issued in Canada, after an Apostille by Canada is obtained, can be sent to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR for use without the need to apply for consular legalization by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Canada.

III. Starting from January 11, 2024, consular legalization services by the Embassy/Consulate in Canada will no longer be provided. For public documents issued by Canada to be used in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, please apply for Apostilles from competent authorities of Canada.

According to the Convention, an Apostille issued by the country of origin is to certify the authenticity of the signature on a public document, the capacity in which the person signing the documents has acted and, where appropriate, the authenticity of the seal or stamp which it bears. A public document with an Apostille of Canada may not necessarily be accepted by relevant Chinese authorities requiring the document. It is recommended that applicants check in advance with the relevant Chinese authorities about the format, content, time limit, translation and other specific requirements regarding the public document before applying for an Apostille.

Information for obtaining an Apostille in Canada

1. Global Affairs Canada and relevant Ministries in some provinces are competent authorities for issuing Apostilles.

2. Global Affairs Canada is responsible for issuing Apostilles for the following documents: (1) documents issued by the Government of Canada; (2) documents notarized in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, regardless of where they were issued in Canada. 

3. Ministry of Justice of Alberta, Ministry of the Attorney General of British Columbia, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery of Ontario, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General of Saskatchewan are responsible for issuing Apostilles for documents notarized in the above-mentioned provinces, regardless of where they were issued in Canada.

4. Ministry of Justice of Quebec is responsible for issuing Apostilles for the documents issued or notarized in the province.

The above information is for reference only. Please contact the Canadian competent authorities for issuing Apostilles or refer to its official information for specific procedures and requirements.

(1) Global Affairs Canada Authentication Services

——General pages and contact information：

https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/about-a_propos/services/authentication-authentification/step-etape-1.aspx?lang=eng

Email: docs@international.gc.ca

Telephone: 1-833-928-1551

——Apostilles pages and contact information：

https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/about-a_propos/services/authentication-authentification/apostille-convention.aspx?lang=eng

Email: apostille@international.gc.ca

(2) Ministry of Justice of Alberta

https://www.alberta.ca/document-authentication-other-jurisdictions-countries

Email: official.documents@gov.ab.ca

Telephone: 1-780-427-5069

(3) Ministry of the Attorney General of British Columbia

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/government-id/guide-to-the-authentication-of-documents

Email: BCAuthentication@gov.bc.ca

(4) Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery of Ontario

https://www.ontario.ca/page/authenticate-document-use-outside-canada

Telephone: 1-416-325-8416

(5) Ministry of Justice and Attorney General of Saskatchewan

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/notarized-documents-legislation-maps/authenticating-notarized-documents

Email: authserv@gov.sk.ca

Telephone: 1-306-787-5972

(6) Ministère de la Justice du Québec

https://www.quebec.ca/justice-et-etat-civil/services/faire-demande-apostille