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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For your convenience we have posted below the answers to most frequently asked questions regarding Apostille, Authentication and Legalization process in Canada. Please feel free to contact us should you need any clarifications or if you have not found the answer to your question.
Authentication and Legalization Process in Canada
What is Authentication of Documents?
The authentication of documents in Canada will be required in cases when the Canadian documents are intended to be used abroad for different purposes. This process basically confirms that the Canadian documents are officially recognized in Canada and can be legally used in foreign countries. The authentication of documents is only first step in this process. There are more steps to accomplish in order for Canadian documents to be legally accepted abroad. Please contact us for a help with authentication of documents process in Canada.
What is Legalization of Documents?
The legalization of documents in Canada is the process that confirms the Canadian documents are legal to be used in foreign countries. In general, this is a second step in the Document Authentication and Document Legalization process in Canada. The legalization of documents are mostly completed by the embassies ans consulates of foreign countries accredited in and for Canada. Please contact us for a help with legalization of documents process in Canada.
What is Superlegalization of Documents?
The superlegalization of documents is the same process as legalization of documents. This term is mostly used by countries located in Central and Eastern Europe.
What is Attestation of Documents?
The attestation of documents is the same process as legalization of documents. This term is mostly used by countries located in Middle East and South Asia.
Will one of your agents appear in person at Global Affairs Canada and the embassy on my behalf?
Yes, one of our agents will appear in person both at Global Affairs Canada for the authentication as well as at the Embassy for document legalization. We take care to follow through with your document in person to ensure that all requirements are met and that the processing of the documents is completed in a timely and accurate manner.
Does Global Affairs Canada require my documents to be provincially authenticated before they authenticate them?
No, your documents do not need to be provincially authenticated in order for Global Affairs Canada to authenticate them. In fact, Global Affairs Canada will not authenticate a provincially authenticated/signed document as the only signatures that this government body acknowledges are the ones that are within its own registry. Hence, if you require a document to be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada, you do not need to have it provincially authenticated first.
I have a notarized copy of my birth certificate. Is Global Affairs Canada able to authenticate it?
No, Global Affairs Canada can’t authenticate a notarized copy of your birth certificate instead of the original. Effective April 1st, 2020, Global Affairs Canada has updated its policy pertaining to the authentication of certificates issued by the provincial Vital Statistics Offices. Now, only original certificates or certified copies issued directly by Vital Statistics Offices can be authenticated by the Global Affairs Canada’s authentication sector. If you choose not to authenticate the original birth certificate you can order a certified copy from your provincial Vital Statistics Office for the authentication process.
Apostille Process in Canad
What is Apostille?
Apostille is an international instrument designed to confirm the authenticity of the official documents that are intended to be used in countries that are members of Apostille Convention (The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, the Apostille Convention, or the Apostille Treaty).
Canada is not a member of the Apostille convention and therefore in Canada the documents should go through authentication and legalization process.
The country where I need to use my Canadian document is asking for an Apostille. What do I do?
Countries that have signed the Hague Convention refer to document Authentication as Apostille. It is likely that the country requesting an Apostille from you has signed the Hague Convention. However, Canada has not signed this convention and therefore conducts document Authentication & Legalization and not Apostille. Regardless of the terminology, Apostille and Authentication are the same process and an authentication along with legalization will be respected as such by the country requested an Apostille from you.
How to Apostille Birth Certificate in Canada?
In Canada, the authentication and legalization of documents process replaces the Apostille process. This is due to the fact that Canada is still not a part of the Apostille Convention. Please contact our office for a help with Apostille process in Canada.
How to Apostille Power of Attorney in Canada?
Since Canada is not a member of Apostille Convention, you need to:
- Certify/notarize your signature on the POA by the Notary Public or Lawyer
- Authenticate it by the Global Affairs Canada
- Legalize it by relevant Embassy/consulate in Canada
Please contact our office for a help with Apostille process in Canada.
Questions Related to Our Services
Is your company able to help me Authenticate and Legalize my documents for use outside of Canada?
Yes, absolutely! We can get your documents authenticated and legalized in Canada so they can be legally accepted in foreign countries. Please contact us using email ([email protected]) or phone/WhatsApp number (+1 (613) 501 0555) to discuss your situation.
I am currently outside of Canada, do I have to fly back to Canada in order to Authenticate and Legalize my Canadian documents?
No! You do not have to be physically present in Canada to authenticate and legalize your documents. All you need to do is to ship with courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS) your documents to our office in Ottawa and we will take care of everything upon receiving your documents.
Where is your office located?
Our mailing address in Ottawa is:
LSC, 440 Laurier Ave W, Suite 218, Ottawa, ON, K1R7X6, Canada
We have a drop-off office located in Mississauga:
LSC, 5800 Ambler Drive, Suite 210, Mississauga, ON, L4W 4J4
What is the best way to contact you?
You can call us toll free at 1-800-857-1215 or on our local Ottawa number at +1-613-501-0555. If you are calling from outside of Ottawa, another great way to reach us is via WhatsApp on +1-613-501-0555.
What are your hours of operation?
Our hours of operation are Monday to Friday 9:30 AM to 5 PM Eastern Standard time. However, you can reach us at any time via text messaging on Whatsapp, 24/7.
You have two addresses listed on the site. Which address do I send my documents to?
You may send documents to the Ottawa mailing address from anywhere in the country or from outside the country. Since many of our clients and customers are located in Toronto, we have a drop-off location in Mississauga for our Toronto and GTA based clients.