Every year, thousands of Canadians find themselves in situations where it becomes a necessity to verify the authenticity of their public documents. From students transferring institutions, to corporate officials expanding or invoicing internationally, legalization plays an important role.
Document legalization is one aspect of the Authentication and Legalization process. When having a Canadian document legalized, your public document must first be correctly prepared. This can involve having the document notarized or translated, depending on the purpose.
Once the documents are prepared, they must be authenticated by the local government, usually at the office of Global Affairs Canada, where it will gain a signature or other form of certification. Afterward, the embassy or consulate representative of the country in which your document will be recognized must affix their own mark of verification.
Degrees, Diplomas and Transcripts
Students transferring from a degree program in their home country, to another institution abroad will require verified transcripts. In addition, work undertaken in a foreign nation may require proof of a high school diploma or university degree. The standards of accreditation can vary greatly across the globe, and the Authentication and document legalization chain can help make sure no hard work goes to waste.
Visas and Vital Certificates
Some of the most common documents required internationally, passports and visas, provide more than simple verification of identity. Visas are often used for work and school purposes, and passports grant access to domestic embassy services in foreign countries that can be very useful to travelers. In an event where a domestic embassy needs to replace or make a copy of your passport, having a legalized birth certificate can expedite the process.
Marriage, Divorce and Adoption Certificates
Different nations provide different protections, but almost every country recognizes the institution of marriage. In order to guarantee the rights of a spouse under the marriage contract, that document must be recognized as legal and undergo document legalization process. Conversely, former couples may need to prove the validity of their divorce before marrying in another jurisdiction. Adopting a child from another country will require paperwork that must be authenticated.
Powers of Attorney, Background Checks
It should come as no surprise that, as a matter of practical international law, document legalization services are utilized commonly in legal matters. Both private and corporate lawyers use document legalization services for a variety of applications. Lawyers acting on behalf of their clients abroad will need to show powers of attorney to represent their clients. Criminal records and fingerprint checks used in employment or in litigation will require verification. Affidavits sworn in foreign courts must meet the standards of any judiciary in which they are applicable.
The Unexpected
The truth is there are too many situations to cover in this short article. If you’re travelling or doing business internationally, there’s a good chance you’ll be looking for legalized documents. Every nation has different regulations, and some regulations are revised regularly. For all the varied circumstances, Legalization Service Centre is here to help you avoid frustrating complications and delays. Contact us about your plans, our professionals will make sure you and your documents are prepared for whatever the circumstance requires.