Tips
Consulate instructions
Check the requirements from the country requesting the Apostille—search for their consulate or embassy website.
BC Authentication Info
Find the applicable directions from provincial government on the BC Authentication website.
Translation
If submitting in a language other than English, the document needs to be translated by a certified translator before being notarized.
Notarization
Make an appointment with West End Law. Bring all forms and your ID.
Apostille,
What’s the Deal? (FAQ)
Q: What is an apostille?
A: Simply put, an apostille is a certificate of authentication added by the government when sending documents to another country.
Q: How do you even say ‘apostille’?
A: There are two common pronunciations: A-paw-steel, or uh-PAW-stuhl.
Q: Do you assist with apostilles?
A: Yes, as a registered notary public / lawyer on file with the provincial government through the BC Authentication Program, West End Law can notarize many documents that require certification through the Apostille process.
Q: When do I need an apostille?
A: An apostille may be necessary when sending notarized or official documents from Canada to another country. Start with, who is asking for the document & what are their requirements? (Often foreign government embassy or consulate websites contain this information.) Not every country has signed on to The Hague Apostille Convention, so double check before starting the process.
Q: Do I need to get the document notarized before getting an apostille?
A: In many cases yes. Check the instructions from the requesting country. Often, the notary examines the original document and makes a true copy that they sign & seal. Then you hang on to the original, and the notarized copy is sent to the BC government in Victoria to receive an apostille certificate attached to it.
Q: Is there an expedited service option for getting an apostille?
A: Unfortunately, the BC Authentication office only offers one apostille service, with no faster option. Their service time varies, sometimes between 2-4 weeks. The best way to speed things up is to choose a courier service to send documents there, then include a pre-paid return envelope either to your address, or directly to the receiving country, if applicable. (See next!)
Q: Can you assist with having the documents sent by courier?
A: Yes, I have access to discounted expedited shipping services through Canada Post, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and more. I can run the quote with you at the appointment, you can choose which option is best for you, we’ll add it to the bill so you just pay once, and I’ll handle it from there. I’ll also send you the tracking numbers (to Victoria, then for the prepaid return / onward journey.)
Q: What if the document was issued by another province?
A: If the requesting country accepts notarized copies with an apostille, then I can assist with this through the BC Authentication program.
Q: The destination country is asking specifically for an apostille from Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa. Does this require notarization first?
A: Normally, this means they are not looking for a notarization first. If you are located in BC, Global Affairs Canada only handles the verification of original documents issued by the federal government. Check their website for further details.
Q: What costs are involved?
A: There are three parts:
My fee: $89 +tax (includes notarization of one document)
BC Government fee: $20 per apostille certificate
Courier fee: (optional, subject to changing courier rates / destination) example: ~$25 each way; expedited service with tracking, Vancouver to Victoria & back; incl. service fee for my time, materials & drop-off.
Cheapest option: $120 incl. tax & BC gov. fee. (regular Canada Post mail service Vancouver to Victoria & back; no tracking)
Courier option (example): $170 incl. tax, BC gov. fee, I handle expedited courier service with tracking & pre-paid return envelope to local address
Caution!