Poland in Canada

Apostille is a certification that the document has been issued by a proper office – apostille certifies the authenticity of a signature and stamp/seal of a foreign official. This allows you to use a foreign official document in Poland.

On January 11, 2024, Canada implemented the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization of Foreign Public Documents.

From January 11, 2024, authenticated documents include a standard certificate called an apostille. The apostille eliminates steps required to get documents accepted in countries where the convention is in effect, including the legalization by a consular office of the country of destination. 

An apostille confirms the official status of a domestic document that needs to be used abroad – in a country from the list. It confirms the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person who signed the document acted and the identity of the seal or stamp on the document. Apostilles are recognized and issued by Poland and over 120 other countries.

Countries that do not recognize the apostille require holders of foreign documents to legalize them.

Documents after authentication with the apostille clause by the local authorities, are admitted to legal transactions in Poland without the participation of the Polish consul. In order to obtain an apostille (which is the equivalent of the current legalization), you should submit the document to the competent Canadian authorities, depending on where the document was notarized. As of January 11, 2024, competent authorities in some provinces will be responsible for issuing an apostille and Global Affairs Canada will be responsible for issuing apostilles for documents issued by the Government of Canada and for documents issued or notarized in specific provinces and territories:

• the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (Ottawa);

or

• the Ministry of the Attorney General of British Columbia;
• the Ministry of Justice of Alberta;
• the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General of Saskatchewan;
• the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery of Ontario;
• the Ministry of Justice of Quebec.

Please find more information on the Apostille and the legalization of the documents below.
On the page of Canadian government you will find information about the Apostille Convention and how it will change authentication services before and after it takes effect in Canada on January 11, 2024.

If a foreign authority requires the apostille on a Polish document, please read the information available on Polish MFA website.