Document Authentication and Legalization Ontario: Official Document Services and Apostille
LSC has been providing authentication services in Ontario, legalization, and apostille across Canada for over 15 years. Contact us today!
How Document Legalization and Authentication Works Today
The authentication process officially verifies a Canadian document for use outside of Canada, ensuring its validity in countries not part of the Hague Apostille Convention. This process typically involves an embassy, consulate, or the foreign nation’s high commission.
For example, if a document is required to grant power of attorney abroad and was originally issued in Canada, it may need to be notarized and meet all conditions imposed by the relevant authority. Once these conditions are met, the document can be authenticated and legalized.
Send Your Documents to Us for Legalization and Authentication in Ontario
- Reach Out Through the Form: Provide all necessary details by completing the form below.
- Prepare and Submit Your Documents: Send your paperwork to our office or submit electronically (for digital documents).
- Receive Your Processed Documents: Access them anywhere, whether in Canada or abroad.
With over 15 years of success and practical experience in document services in Canada, we’re glad to help make your next international adventure one to remember for the right reasons.
Contact us today for more information!
Send Us a Request if You Need to Legalize and Authenticate Your Document for Use Outside Canada
Why Contact Our Authentication Office to Have Your Documents Authenticated and Legalized
- Expertise: Our authentication service builds on 15 years of work in Canadian document authentication services, guiding you through the authentication and legalization procedure.
- Customer Focus: We handle every type of document that may need authentication. Our clients depend on us to swiftly authenticate documents, following standards.
- Speed: We understand that documents intended for foreign use require a quick turnaround.
We Work With Canadian Authorities, Every Consulate or Embassy
The Legalization Service Centre, headquartered in Ottawa, with locations in Toronto, Mississauga, and beyond, supports all regions. If you have a document that requires authentication, we confirm if it’s eligible for authentication and advise you.
Legalization and Authentication Ontario:
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Hamilton
- London
- Markham
- Vaughan
- Kitchener
- Windsor
Legalization and Authentication Alberta:
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Red Deer
- Lethbridge
- St. Albert
- Medicine Hat
- Grande Prairie
- Airdrie
- Spruce Grove
- Leduc
Legalization and Authentication BC:
- Vancouver
- Surrey
- Burnaby
- Richmond
- Abbotsford
- Coquitlam
- Kelowna
- Kamloops
- Nanaimo
- Prince George
Legalization and Authentication Manitoba:
- Winnipeg
- Brandon
- Steinbach
- Thompson
- Portage la Prairie
- Selkirk
- Winkler
- Morden
- Dauphin
- Flin Flon
Legalization and Authentication New Brunswick:
- Moncton
- Saint John
- Fredericton
- Dieppe
- Oromocto
- Bathurst
- Miramichi
- Edmundston
- Riverview
- Rothesay
Legalization and Authentication Newfoundland and Labrador:
- St. John’s
- Mount Pearl
- Corner Brook
- Paradise
- Labrador City
- Marystown
- Deer Lake
- Gander
- Grand Falls-Windsor
- Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Legalization and Authentication Nova Scotia:
- Halifax
- Sydney
- Dartmouth
- Truro
- New Glasgow
- Glace Bay
- Kentville
- Amherst
- Bridgewater
- Yarmouth
Legalization and Authentication Prince Edward Island:
- Charlottetown
- Summerside
- Stratford
- Cornwall
- Montague
- Souris
- Alberton
- Tignish
- Kensington
- Georgetown
Legalization and Authentication Quebec:
- Montreal
- Quebec City
- Laval
- Gatineau
- Longueuil
- Sherbrooke
- Trois-Rivières
- Saguenay
- Lévis
- Terrebonne
Legalization and Authentication Saskatchewan:
- Saskatoon
- Regina
- Prince Albert
- Moose Jaw
- Swift Current
- Yorkton
- North Battleford
- Estevan
- Weyburn
- Kindersley
Send Any Type of Document for Authentication and Legalization
Begin by completing the request form. If your document requires authentication or extra measures—like a notary public stamp—we’ll guide you.
Affidavit
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Divorce Certificate
Death Certificate
Marriage Search Certificate
University Degree
College Diploma
High School Diploma
Transcripts
Criminal Record Check Certificate from Ottawa RCMP
Criminal Record Check Certificate from Local Police
Fingerprints
Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad
Power of Attorney
Corporate Documents
Court Documents
Adoption Certificate
Other
Countries That Are NOT Party to the Apostille Convention for Document Legalization
Before presenting your documents to Global Affairs Canada and then to an embassy or consulate, we ensure all requirements are met. The government of Canada may reject incomplete items. If not party to the Apostille Convention, the comprehensive authentication and legalization steps apply.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do if My Documents for Use Internationally Are Declined?
An authentication certificate is central to the document legalization workflow. It is provided by official document services or other authoritative agencies to verify that your document has undergone proper authentication. This certificate confirms the authenticity of the signature on your document and that it adheres to the laws of the Province of Ontario.
If your documents are declined by Global Affairs Canada or another organization, have our specialists address the shortcomings. Though rare, we understand that authentication policies may shift unexpectedly. We’ll help navigate these changes to swiftly get your documents authenticated.
If a refusal occurs, we identify the reasons and work with you to resolve them. Because the Ministry of Attorney General and overseas authorities can alter their methods at any point, we stay adaptable to new regulations, ensuring your document has been authenticated and remains ready for use.
How Should I Prepare My Documents for a Legalization and Authentication Request?
Before sending items for authentication, confirm they are complete and meet the criteria of Global Affairs Canada, provincial regulators, and the relevant consulate. Check for correct signatures, ensure notarization if required, and include attestation of a translation when needed.
To avoid problems, verify these points before submission. Confirm the document is signed by a recognized official or notary. For foreign documents, confirm all essential signatures are present and properly authenticated. Following these steps simplifies document authentication and avoids unnecessary issues.
What is the Usual Processing Time for the Document Legalization and Authentication Process?
Processing intervals for legalization and authentication vary depending on the involved embassy, consulate, or relevant authority. Sometimes, it’s only couple business days; other times, it’s up to few weeks. Prior to legalization, your document must first obtain an authentication certificate from Global Affairs Canada.
Once your document has been successfully authenticated, it becomes eligible for the legalization process at the consulate or embassy of the destination country, where it will ultimately be used. This crucial final step prepares your document for official recognition and acceptance in international contexts. Legalization ensures that your document meets the requirements of the receiving nation, making it valid for use abroad without any further complications or delays.
Should I Translate My Document Before Having It Legalized?
We are fully prepared to assist and guide you with all the necessary prerequisites for translations. By confirming that your document is accurately and properly translated, you can avoid any potential processing delays or holdups. This proactive approach not only saves time but also ensures that your document is suitable for smooth and effective international use, whether for official, legal, or personal purposes.
What Factors Should You Consider When Requesting Authentication and Legalization?
When pursuing authentication and legalization, determine if the destination is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. If it is, securing an apostille certificate is usually simpler. If not, extra steps might include a notary verification or interactions with government offices.
Ensure that all documents issued in Ontario or those that have been notarized include the correct and appropriate signatures and stamps as required. If the document has been notarized, take the extra step to verify that the notary’s signature is both legitimate and properly authenticated. For documents originating from foreign jurisdictions, it is essential to confirm that all necessary signatures have been officially verified to meet the specific requirements of the process. This attention to detail helps avoid unnecessary complications and ensures the documents are accepted without issues.