Document validation is commonly required, and it is necessary to provide valid documents when traveling or working internationally. Document validation has many aspects, and the process can seem confusing from the outside. We can help familiarize you with a few of the most common aspects.
What is Document Validation?
Your document will need to pass through a lot of hands in the validation process, as every overseeing official has a specific role which verifies, certifies and prepares your documents for each successive step. This process is designed to provide a common chain that links different nations together for the purpose of honoring international law. This practice ensures that officials from your country of origin and those from a foreign mission can agree that your documents are trustworthy. We provide the service that streamlines this process for our clients. Legalization Service Centre specializes in meeting document validation requirements from all sides.
Notarization of Documents
Often, the first step for your document’s validation will be to have a duly appointed public official, called a notary, witness the signing of your document. This is a third party representative testifying to the validity of your document, and your document will receive a stamp and signature from this process. In some cases a notary will oversee the creation of an officially certified true copy of your document, for instance, if the original is too dear or cannot otherwise be marked or shipped.
Authentication of Documents
In Canada, document authentication is the first step to full attestation, or recognition of a document’s international validity. The authentication process is overseen by the Office of Global Affairs Canada. Legalization Service Centre offices are located close to the GAC in Ottawa, so we can facilitate prompt resolution for our clients. This typically involves applying an official stamp and signature to your document, but certain requirements must first be met. We can help you make sure that all seals and signatures are verified so that your documents can be recognized as genuine in another country or jurisdiction.
Legalization of Documents
You may have heard terms like attestation, apostille, or even superlegalization applied to the process of document validation. In any case, this is the final step. Legalization requires a foreign consulate, ministry or representative to sign off on your document. The consular officer will attest to the authenticity of the signatures and seals on your document and add their own. With this, the chain of trust has been established and all protections of international law that have been agreed upon will be in effect. This allows the recognition of your documents as legitimate throughout travel or business affairs.
We’re The Professionals
Most people don’t need to know all the ins-and-outs of document validation. They just want genuine documents so they can get to where they’re going. Our clients receive the expert assistance they need to quickly walk through these steps. Interfacing with local and foreign authorities and meeting their requirements is our specialty. We make certain your documents are prepared correctly and can pass quickly through each step in the process.
