So, you’ve decided to move to the Netherlands? Whether you’re going for school, work, or simply a change of scenery, congratulations! First thing’s first: are your documents in order? Hopefully, they are, but if not, we’ll help clear up some confusion today, and provide you with the steps you need to take to legalize your documents through the Dutch Embassy.
Working with Global Affairs Canada
Although the Netherlands is where The Hague Apostille Convention originated, Canada was not a signee. This means that if you want to use a document in the Netherlands, it must go through the authentication and legalization process here in Canada. To start the process, you need to have it authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. This can take some time, but when you work with us, we make the process quick and easy for you, reducing the wait time to only a few days.
Legalization of Documents by the Dutch Embassy in Canada
Once your document is authenticated, you can then take it to be legalized by the Dutch Embassy in Canada. The primary embassy is in Ottawa, but there are Netherlands Consulate Generals in a few major cities. We can also do this stage of the process for you as well to save you the trouble. We’ll work with the embassy to ensure your documents meet all of the requirements. Once the documents are legalized, you are then ready to present them in the Netherlands. With the authentication and legalization, the documents will have the equivalent of an Apostille certification.
Requirements for Documents
Before you go through the process, you should ensure that your documents meet all of the requirements. As with any country, documents must be long form and original. This includes birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc. In addition, your documents need to be relatively recent and not outdated. Some documents might contain references to other documents. If this is the case, make sure you have these referenced documents available for authentication as well. Finally, if your documents are in a different language other than German, French, English, or Dutch, a sworn translator must translate them for you. This whole process can seem complicated, and when you have to go through another step, it can become frustrating. You don’t have to do it alone, and we offer top-notch services to help take the stress out of the legalization and authentication process.
We’re Here to Help
If you need assistance through the legalization process or have any questions, contact the Legalization Service Centre, and we’ll gladly answer any questions or provide assistance to save you time.