Has the allure of international travel captured you? We can’t blame you. Traveling the world to work, continue your education, or just to live abroad is a fantastic experience. With that in mind, you can’t just hop on a plane and leave, and there are some legal steps to go through.
The document legalization process can be confusing with so many terms you’ve probably never heard before. We’re here to help! Let’s go over the major terms and steps to help you legalize your documents with ease.
What is Document Notarization?
The document notarization process is a fraud-deterrent process to ensure all documents are 100% legitimate. It is the first step in the document legalization process and ensures that all of the information on the document is 100% accurate.
You can have your document notarized at any local notary, and you must go through this first step before moving forward in the document legalization process.
What is Document Apostille?
Many countries entered into The Hague Apostille Convention many years ago. Canada was not one of these countries, however. Because of this, to have your documents recognized by foreign nations, they’ll need to be authorized by an apostille. This includes documents like Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, educational transcripts, and more.
What is Document Authentication?
Having your documents authenticated simply means they are proven to be 100% accurate. This happens at Global Affairs Canada. Not all records will need authentication, but many do. You can contact us to see if your document meets the requirements for authentication.
What is Document Legalization?
The final term to discuss in this article in legalization. Document legalization essentially means the same thing as authentication. It’s an extra step that people with Canadian documents and people coming to Canada with foreign documents will need to go through. You can’t use your documents without having them legalized. The legalization process is equal to having your documents apostilled through The Hague Convention.
We Can Help!
The entire legalization process can confuse many first-time travelers. Have any questions about any step in the legalization process? We’re here to help! Get in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and make the process simple for you!