Why do I need to get my Birth Certificate Apostilled or Authenticated and Legalized for international use?

A Canadian Birth Certificate is initially only valid for use in Canada therefore a foreign country will not accept a Canadian Birth Certificate. To make the Birth Certificate valid for use in a foreign country, it will first need to go through the process of Apostille or Authentication and then Legalization at the Embassy Consulate of the country in which the document will be used. In both steps the authenticity of the foregoing signature is verified, effectively making the document valid for use in that foreign country. Some countries might ask you to get your Birth Certificate Apostilled since that is the process used in that foreign country. Since Canada is now a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, the original two-step process of Birth Certificate Authentication and Legalization is not required for those countries and we can help you get an Apostille.