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Attestation of Birth Certificate for UAE

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Thinking of settling in the UAE? You aren’t alone! Whether you are a native returning to the land or pursuing a career or employment there, many individuals and families decide to call the UAE their home every year. There is a process to obtain a residency status, and you will need certain documentation to apply for it. You will need to add each member of your family to the residency status, as well. For your children born in Canada, birth certificates along with copies of their passport will need to be provided. Read on to learn about the process of preparing a Canadian birth certificate for use in UAE!

How do you obtain a Canadian birth certificate?

Whether you are in the country at the time or not, Canadian birth certificates are easy to obtain. Make sure you fill in the online application requests for either the short or long form. For the purpose of your UAE residency visa, it is best to order the long form. This one will contain more detail than the short certificate. Information such as place of birth and the names of both parents, along with details of the child are included in this form. Contrarily, the short form certificate only includes the child’s full name and place of birth.

Preparing a birth certificate for use in UAE

The Canadian government itself issues birth certificates. However, you can’t include it in your UAE residency application as is. In order to make the document valid, it must undergo attestation, known as authentication and legalization in Canada. While the two terms are different, the process of attestation and authentication/legalization are identical. Other parts of the world also call it ‘apostille’. After you complete the 2 steps listed below, your birth certificate for UAE will be ready.

How do you have your Canadian birth certificate attested?

The first step is authentication. You need to submit your document to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) along with an application form. GAC is the only government body in Canada that is responsible for authentication of all Canadian documents. Their head office is located in Ottawa and their task is to review the signatures and stamps on the document to ensure that they are valid. Along with this, they also ensure that any document provided to them contains the information and structure necessary to qualify for authentication.

Once the forms are submitted to GAC, it can take 10 days or more for your documents to be authenticated. But an attestation professional can significantly reduce this wait time. For example, Legalization Service Centre can have your documents authenticated within a few business days at GAC. All you need to do is provide a letter or a document proving the urgency of your business. This is because we have a strong network and years of experience with authentication. This can also lead you to save money on the process, as any corrections to the process after you submit your form will require additional fees.

The Final Step: Legalization

After authenticated, you must submit the document(s) to the UAE embassy for legalization. Legalization involves the embassy conducting their own review to ensure that the document meets their country’s standard and that it contains a valid GAC stamp.  Most embassies are located in Ottawa, in close proximity to the GAC office as well as the physical location of Legalization Service Centre. While legalization is not difficult to obtain, it can be a challenge if you are trying to complete it from somewhere outside of Ottawa. Since our office is intentionally close to both, it makes it easy for us to complete the submissions and conduct follow-ups until the entire attestation process is complete.

At Legalization Service Centre, we understand how tedious paperwork can be. Moving from one country to another is not an easy task. Obtaining residency and settling in the UAE may be exciting, but there is a lot of work to be done. Having your documents authenticated is just a hurdle in the process which can be even more difficult due to distance. Give us a call if you need more information or would like to have us take care of this important part of your paperwork. We are always happy to chat, even if it is only to share more information!

 

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Birth certificate authentication

Birth Certificate Authentication and Legalization

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If you need to use a birth certificate for yourself or a family member internationally, you may have been asked to Apostille the document. However, it is important to note that document Apostilles are not possible in Canada. This is because Canada has not signed the Hague Convention which would allow us to be able to perform Apostilles. Instead, you must complete 2 separate steps: birth certificate authentication and birth certificate legalization. This process will count as the same as Apostille and/or attestation. What exactly do these steps entail? Simply read on to find out!

Birth Certificate Authentication

Step 1. Obtain the long form Canadian birth certificate

When a child is born in a Canadian hospital, typically the hospital assists the new parent(s) with registering the birth with the Office of the Registrar. Once this is complete, you are able to request a birth certificate from your province. Most provinces have an online application that enables you to order the birth certificate online. There are many third party websites that facilitate these transactions such as www.canadianbirthcertificate.com.

In some scenarios, such as in the case of at-home deliveries, the birth of a child may not have been registered right away. If this is the case and your child is more than 1 year old, a Delayed Statement of Live Birth form must be filled out and submitted to the Registrar. Until this is complete, you will not be able to request a birth certificate.

There are two forms of birth certification – the long form and the short form. The short form contains information about the individual named on the certificate. In addition to this, the long form contains the names of the parents and birth location. While the short form certificate may be usable in many scenarios, ensure that you have the long form for legalization purposes.

Step 2. Prepare all documents and application

Depending on the purpose of your use or need, you may require documents in addition to the birth certificate to be collected and legalized. Find out from the embassy if additional documents are required and prepare them at this time as well. Document authentication and legalization can be a long and tedious process. You don’t want to have to repeat the steps for each document type.  If you are receiving the help of a legalization professional, they will be able to guide you in acquiring and preparing all the necessary documents.

Step 3. Submit to Global Affairs Canada for birth certificate authentication

Document attestation, or authentication and legalization, is a two-step process. The first of these is authentication, which happens when you submit your document(s) to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) for revision. GAC will review your document to ensure that the stamps and signatures on it are valid and authentic. They will place a large red stamp on the document indicating the end of authentication. Typically, the process of authentication can take between 15 to 20 days and has a processing fee associated with it. Any errors or omissions in the application can cause further delays and result in additional charges.

Birth Certificate Legalization

Step 1. Submit to the correct embassy in Ottawa for legalization

Once your document has been authenticated, it must be submitted to the embassy of the country where you will use the certificate. Typically, all foreign embassies and consulates are located in Ottawa, Canada. In this step, the embassy will review the GAC stamp to ensure that it is true and valid. They must also review the document to ensure that it meets the standards of their country. They will place a stamp or  attach a certificate to indicate the completion of the legalization step.

How Can We Help?

Regardless of what you call the process, attestation of your documents can be a daunting and exhausting task. That’s why the experts at Legalization Service Centre are readily available to answer any questions you have. We have a strong network from years of experience at GAC that makes it possible for us to complete your authentication process within 24 hours as opposed to the 15 to 20 days typical wait period. Moreover, our experience and expertise can save you time and money by avoiding common errors, omissions or pitfalls in the process. Our service and experience have earned us an A+ status with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 5 star rating on Google. Call us today to have your documents handled from start to finish, efficiently and without breaking a sweat!

 

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Export Related Documents: Authentication and Legalization

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Authentication and Legalization in Exports and Imports

The business of trading goods or exports and imports is a promising form of commerce that requires authentication and legalization. Both parties require a certain level of trust when starting such a business. They may not have previous experience in exchanging goods with one another, after all. Checks and balances allow you to make an informed decision and choice in partners to commit the trade with. However, a certain level of risk related to the quality of the product you receive will remain.

When you engage in trading goods made in Canada, authentication and legalization of documents can help the importing country minimize risks related to the quality of the product. It will also provide financial reliability, as well as allow importing countries to assess authenticity of the product. They may request the Commercial Invoice and Certificate of Origin.

What is a Commercial Invoice?

A Commercial Invoice is a legal document that is included when goods are shipped to another country. The purpose of all invoices is to provide a record of the transaction. The importing country uses a commercial invoice to allow products in. This includes the billed amount and payment options for the buyer. In addition, it includes information about both the buyer, seller. and sold goods. Due to the risks of damage related to the order and  exporter accountability for the goods, this invoice can allow funds to remain in escrow accounts.

What is a Certificate of Origin?

A Certificate of Origin is another document that can provide assurance of quality and verification of details regarding the product. It contains details about the exporter and importer, along with information regarding the producer. It also contains the tariff classification number, weight of products, and most importantly, a statement certifying that the information on the certificate is true and accurate. A detailed description of the information contained within the Certificate of Origin can be found on the Canadian government website here.

The Authentication Process

In addition to providing these documents, some countries require that they undergo the process of authentication and legalization. In order to authenticate the documents, they must first meet the requirements of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Once met, they will affix a stamp to signify this. Moving forward, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) will screen the document for authenticity and following a satisfactory review, your document will be stamped. The final step of legalization takes place at the embassy of your importing country, who will validate your document.

While this process may sound simple, it can take approximately two months to complete, with a minimum period of twenty days at GAC for authentication. Errors and omissions along the way can extend this time by another three months. However, Legalization Service Centre can complete the same process in a much shorter amount of time, knowing the process and having a strong network within GAC and embassies in Ottawa. With our office situated in Ottawa, we can fast-track authentication to provide next day service! We will also make sure that your documents stay at the relevant embassy for days or weeks instead of months.

Our experience and stellar customer service has earned us an A+ status with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We understand that your business requires you to act quickly and that simplicity in conducting your due diligence can translate to your success. For these reasons, we are readily available to answer any questions you may have and can have your documents authenticated and legalized quickly, efficiently, and accurately. Give us a call at 1-800-857-1215 or send us a message on WhatsApp: +1-613-501-0555.

 

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Document Authentication

The Importance of Document Authentication and Legalization Services Amidst Travel Restrictions Due to Global Pandemic

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Canada’s Response to COVID-19

The novel corona virus pandemic, COVID-19, is taking the world up by a storm, causing many countries around the world to take drastic measures to limit contagion. These measures include warnings and advisories of social distancing, quarantining of the infected, closures of schools, colleges, businesses and government offices in many countries, as well as complete lockdown in others. As more people test positive for the virus here at home, Canada is taking the measures necessary to limit the impact of the infection in our country. Ontario is in a state of emergency until March 31st, students on March Break are away from school until April 4th, gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited in many parts of the country, our borders have been restricted, and in general social distancing is broadly being advised. Businesses, employees, and the self-employed are all feeling the economic impact as the focus shifts from everyday functions to the ongoing health emergency.

Document Authentication and Legalization in Canada During COVID -19 Outbreak

Amidst all the closures and limited government and commerce functionality around the world, what does this mean for your document authentication and legalization needs? For one thing, it may be more necessary than ever to have your documents authenticated and legalized from right here at home. As movement around the world and international travel become limited due to border closures or travel restrictions, you may need additional documents for yourself and your under-aged children if you do need to travel for any reason. It is important to note parents traveling with under-aged children without the other parent or guardian present need documentation to show the other parent/guardian’s consent when leaving Canada. This is a normal measure even without the worries of COVID-19 and this letter from your child’s other parent/guardian require notarization by a notary public in Canada. However, you may need additional documents such as your marriage certificate/divorce certificate/children’s birth certificate authenticated and legalized at this time. Before any travel, you should check with current border regulations here in Canada, but also the restrictions, limitations and additional travel requires in your destination country. You should be aware that entry may not be granted in many countries and if it were, there may be additional documentation required from you for your trip.

If you are requesting for any documents to be authenticated and legalized at this time, you should account for delays in processing time as the pace of work and operational hours at government offices become limited. While Global Affairs Canada, the official body that authenticates your documents, has not declared any formal limitations to their hours of operation, it is likely that their office may be slower to respond and process paperwork amidst the current crisis. It is also worth the mention that the different embassies in Ottawa may be following different protocols and measures at this time in response to instructions from both Canada as well as the countries which they respectively represent. For this reason, you should check not only for their availability, but for also what types of work they are completing at the time and if there are any changes to their typical protocols for document legalization.

How Legalization Service Centre Can Help?

For all of your document authentication and legalization needs, contact us at Legalization Service Centre for a consultation on requirements, processes and changes currently being experienced in government offices. Our experts are keeping on top of the ongoing efforts of our country as well as the global impact of the virus as it relates to the functionality of embassies in Ottawa. Having your documents processed through us will ensure that you avoid any additional delays in processing time due to current changes that you may not be aware of. Moreover, our experts are able to conduct work with Global Affairs Canada and embassies with more efficiency than you may experience on an individual level at this time. Moreover, due to the efforts of social distancing and work-from-home initiatives, it may be difficult to contact these offices.

Before proceeding with any document authentication and legalization, check with us to ensure that the work is possible for the time you require the document as well as for the embassy in question. As the conditions around the world are rapidly changing regarding the impact of COVID-19, things can quickly change rendering any previous information outdated or inaccurate.

 For more information regarding Global Affairs Canada’s functions and latest news on travel and COVID-19, you may check the government website here.

Wedding in Cuba

Marriage in Cuba: What Documents Should Canadians Prepare for Wedding in Cuba

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Canadians Marrying in Cuba

Love is in the air! Fresh, oceanic, breezy Cuban air. Congratulations on choosing to marry in the beautiful island of Cuba. Perhaps your fiancé/e is Cuban or perhaps you are both Canadians taking advantage of a beautiful Cuban destination wedding. While the latter is simple, there are technical barriers you will have to overcome in order to marry in a Cuban resort. In both cases, you will need to have certain paper work compiled, authenticated and legalized in order to marry in Cuba.

The Paperwork

In order to marry in Cuba, you will need to obtain official permission from your future spouse’s government. Their government will require proof of the following with documentation:

  • Your marital status as being single and eligible to marry
  • Proof of country of birth
  • Proof of date of birth to meet the legal age requirement of 18 years old to marry

To prove that you are single, as a Canadian you will need to provide a Statutory Declaration of Single Status, along with notarized copies of your identification such as a birth certificate and passport. (Please contact our office for Statutory Declaration of Single Status template). If you are divorced/widowed, there are additional documents you will need to provide such as your marriage certificate, divorce certificate, divorce order, or death certificate.

All of the documents that you provide must be translated in Spanish, notarized, authenticated by Global Affairs Canada, and legalized by the Cuban consulate or embassy. For easy processing and a hiccup-free wedding in Cuba, you will want to have all of this paperwork completed before you depart to Cuba for the big affair!

While this takes care of your end of documentation, your Cuban partner will need to do some paperwork of their own. Your future husband or wife will need to provide the following to their government:

  • His/her identity card
  • If they are divorced, a notarized copy of their divorce certificate
  • For a female, if she has been divorced for less than 300 days, she will require a medical certificate stating that she is not pregnant

The Actual Marriage

Once all of your paper work is in order, you will then apply for the marriage itself. In order to do so, you can go to one of two offices in Havana, Cuba, along with your future spouse and two witnesses who are not related to either of you. Your witnesses will need to bring with them documentation/identification that proves the following:

  • Their full names
  • Address
  • Identity document number, passport, and residency permit/tourist cards

At the end of it all and after several fees and stamps, you will obtain three copies of your marriage certificate. And voila, you are now husband and wife!

Get Us to Help!

The prospect of marriage in Cuba can be daunting due to the paperwork and processing involved. Which documents you will need to compile vary case by case and can be complicated and confusing. To ensure that you have everything you need prepared correctly, it is best to consult with an experienced authentication and legalization service professional. You can call our services to obtain professional consultation. We will help you prepare your documents from start to finish, so that your love-filled affair remains as simple and exciting as possible.

Image credit: Bonas en Cuba Fiestas

United Arab Emirates: Canadian Document Preparation

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If you’re seeking post-secondary education and/or are looking for opportunities for employment, chances are you already heard of United Arab Emirates. This country offers one of the highest quality education in the Middle East, and is currently a hotspot for anyone wishing to join their diverse workforce. As international interest grows, naturally, the UAE becomes more strict about who they accept into their country and who they don’t. Before your documents are considered valid in UAE, they must first go through authentication and legalization or document apostille. 

CANADIAN DOCUMENT APOSTILLE: AUTHENTICATION AND LEGALIZATION

What is “apostille”? And why must you do both authentication and legalization of your documents? This all due to the Hague agreement or Apostille Convention, which Canada hasn’t signed. Canadian documents need to go through two levels of authentication and legalization. This means that in order for your documents to be valid and usable in UAE, they need to be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada first, and then legalized at the consular section of the embassy of UAE in Ottawa. 

VALIDATING DOCUMENTS: FOR EDUCATION 

If you’re planning on studying in one of the prestigious universities in UAE, you will have to validate your Canadian university degree. Whether your degree is from the University of Toronto, McGill University or Queen’s University, such fine school’s transcripts and degrees can become targets of forgery. As such, the embassy is very meticulous with legalization. You must make sure that no discrepancies can be found between the documents submitted by you and your university.

The good news are that the signatures on the degrees are usually recognized by Global Affairs Canada. The degrees are then automatically ready to be authenticated by the GAC and legalized by the UAE’s consular section. Sometimes, certain degrees will require extra steps. In those cases, your university will need to provide some additional documents, such as transcripts or your academic files. This can be hard to keep track of when going through the process yourself, so we are here to help! If you’re in a hurry, we offer rush service, where you’ll get your documents authenticated and legalized in just 2 business days!

VALIDATING CANADIAN DOCUMENTS: FOR EMPLOYMENT  

When joining the United Arab Emirates workforce, there’s a difference between non-corporate documents and corporate documents. Non-corporate documents include “vital statistics”. They’re simply your birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates and death certificates. You will need the aforementioned if you’re planning to bring your family or spouse with you or if you need to declare single status. They will need to go through the process of authentication and legalization, too. However, there’s no need for notarization, as provincially issued vital statistics signatures are recognized by Global Affairs Canada.

NON-CORPORATE EMPLOYMENT

In addition to submitting your vital statistics, you might have to include a criminal record check. Our experts at LSC Canada recommend obtaining an RCMP police check instead of a local police issued one. An RCMP police check is always more thorough, as it’s based on fingerprints. It’s also globally recognized, including Global Affairs Canada, meaning that you don’t need to spend extra money on hiring a notary to notarize your local police check. This also saves you time, as the GAC may take up to 20 business days to process your documents. If you wish to speed the process along, we will be more than happy to oblige with our three different offered service times. Always double check to see if you have all the required documents!

Don’t forget to notarize any existing doctors notes or letters regarding prescription medication. Notarization is completed by a notary public or a lawyer. Only after you complete this step can you move onto authentication and legalization. 

CORPORATE EMPLOYMENT

The United Arab Emirates are an attractive venue for new or existing corporate businesses. Whether you’re partnering with a business in UAE or expanding your chain, this lush country offers much reward. The documents you need to get authenticated and legalized depend entirely on the requesting party. They may include powers of attorney, certificates of incorporation, various certificates such as SCC, CPP, GMP, ISO, certificates of incorporation, certificates of origins, commercial invoices, tax residency letters, permits, etc. In addition to the two-step authentication and legalization process, a lawyer or a notary public must validate your documents. Notarization is often a prerequisite for apostille. If you’re unsure about any of these steps, don’t hesitate to contact us and an agent will be with you shortly!

NEED HELP? WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

It can be difficult to keep track of all the demands of the UAE Embassy as a client! We understand more than anyone, especially if this is your first time having to authenticate and legalize your documents. Our experts at Legalization Service Centre Canada have more than 10 years of experience with document authentication and legalization. We’re always working tirelessly to ensure the easiest process for you! Our client’s 5 star reviews will assure you of our quality, reliable and fast service, and our solid interpersonal relations with each embassies and consulates in Ottawa and Canada will provide you further confidence.

Diverse Mexico: Authentication and Legalization of your documents for your trip to Mexico

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Mexico is one of the biggest trading partners of Canada, with the United States joining the two to form CUSMA. It’s no surprise, then, that many Canadians seek opportunities in this southern country. The beautiful sandy beaches remain a popular wedding destination, as well as a retirement location. Work opportunities, personal or corporate, are engaging and rewarding. However, there’s no doubt that before you can enjoy Mexico’s warm embrace, you must go through the process of authentication and legalization or document apostille. 

CANADIAN DOCUMENT APOSTILLE: AUTHENTICATION AND LEGALIZATION

DEFINTION

What is “apostille”? And why must you do both authentication and legalization of your documents? This all due to the Hague agreement or Apostille Convention, which Canada hasn’t signed. Canadian documents need to go through two levels of authentication and legalization. This means that in order for your documents to be valid and usable in Mexico, they need to be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada first, and then legalized at the consular section of the Mexican embassy in Ottawa. 

 AUTHENTICATION AND LEGALIZATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR MEXICO

Depending on the reason for your visit to Mexico, different documents will be required to go through the authentication process. For example, birth certificates and marriage certificates for those who wish to marry there, pension documents for retirement, tax residency letters, powers of attorney for personal work, and certificates of incorporation for corporate work. This list is no way complete, however. Always double check with the Mexican embassy to ensure that you have all of them. In the case for corporate work, partnering companies usually produce the full list of required documents for you.

PROCESSING TIMES

Always make sure that you’re aware of processing times. Global Affairs Canada can take up to 20 business days to authenticate your documents, sometimes even longer. Each embassy has their own requirements, such as notarization before authentication, and more. For someone who is unfamiliar with the process of apostille, this can be very confusing and hard to follow. We, at LSC Canada, are here for you every step of the way. With our rush service, we can get your documents authenticated and legalized in just 2 business days! Tight deadlines are not a problem for our experienced agents, with more than 10 years of experience in the world of Canadian document apostille.  

CANADIAN CORPORATE DOCUMENTS: APOSTILLE, AUTHENTICATION & LEGALIZATION  

In Mexico, emphasis has been put on the democratization of health care in the recent years, with the quality of said healthcare increasing. Thus, Mexico became an attractive place for expansion and/or partnership of pharmaceutical and other health-related companies. If you’re venturing for a corporate business opportunity, the documents you need to get authenticated and legalized depend entirely on the requesting party. They may include powers of attorney, certificates of incorporation, various certificates such as SCC, CPP, GMP, ISO, certificates of incorporation, certificates of origins, commercial invoices, tax residency letters, permits, etc. In addition to the two-step authentication and legalization process, a lawyer or a notary public must validate your documents. Notarization is often a prerequisite for apostille. If you’re unsure about any of these steps, don’t hesitate to contact us and an agent will be with you shortly!

CANADIAN DOCUMENTS: PERSONAL WORK IN MEXICO

The documents needed for non-corporate (personal) work are different from corporate documents. In fact, they include “vital statistics”. They’re simply your birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates and death certificates. You will need the aforementioned if you’re planning to retire or to marry in Mexico, as well. They will need to go through the process of authentication and legalization. However, Global Affairs Canada recognizes the signatures in the provincially issued vital statistics, so there’s no need for notarization.

CANADIAN DOCUMENTS FOR RETIREMENT IN MEXICO

If you’re planning to retire in Mexico, in addition to submitting your vital statistics, you will have to include a criminal record check and proof of pension. Our experts at LSC Canada recommend obtaining an RCMP police check instead of a local police issued one. An RCMP police check is always more thorough, as it’s based on fingerprints. Global Affairs Canada recognizes the check, meaning that clients don’t need to spend extra money on hiring a notary. This also saves you time, as the GAC may take up to 20 business days to process your documents. If you wish to speed the process along, we will be more than happy to oblige with our three different offered service times. Always double check to see if you have all the required documents. If you’ve ever lived or worked in Mexico, you may be eligible for certain pension benefits. This information can be found here.

CANADIAN DOCUMENTS FOR WEDDINGS IN MEXICO

If you’re planning to marry in Mexico, firstly, you picked a beautiful place! Secondly, clients need to authenticate and legalize marriage certificates, in addition to vital statistics. Always refer back to the Mexican embassy for a comprehensive list of all you need for the ceremony. If you were born in Canada, widowed, divorced, or born abroad, you’ll also have to submit a Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad. You must directly request for this document, and then authenticate it. If you don’t know how or where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us! 

NEED HELP? WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

It can be difficult to keep track of all the demands of the Mexican Embassy as a client! We understand more than anyone, especially if this is your first time having to authenticate and legalize your documents. Our experts at Legalization Service Centre Canada (LSC Canada) have more than 10 years of experience with document authentication and legalization of Canadian documents, so we’re always working tirelessly to ensure the easiest process for you. Our client’s 5 star reviews will assure you of our quality, reliable and fast service, and our solid interpersonal relations with each embassies and consulates in Ottawa and Canada will provide you further confidence.

Image Credit: Traveller World Guide

Destination Panama: Authentication and Legalization of your documents for Panama

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This beautiful central American country is a well known destination for many Canadians. Its warm, tropical climate is a stark difference from the cool North winds of Canada. The recent economic boom also adds to Panama’s appeal. Whether you are looking to retire or looking for business opportunities, you will most likely need to take part in authentication and legalization of your documents.

The Authentication of your Documents in preparation for use in Panama

Panama has signed the Hague agreement while Canada has not. This means that the authentication of documents in both countries is very different. Canada follows the two-step authentication and legalization process, also called apostille. Rest assured that your documents will be viable in any country after the two-step process! This will be true regardless of whether or not your target country is part of the Hague agreement.

Every document has specific requirements in order to start the authentication process, double checking with the Embassy of Panama located in Ottawa is therefore very important. Generally, as the first step, your document should contain an authorized signature confirming its authenticity. Notaries and lawyers have the legal authority to do it. If you’re unsure of this step, we can help! Your documents will then be taken to Global Affairs Canada, where they will be stamped, sealed and signed, therefore authenticating it. The final step is legalization, done in the Embassy of Panama in Ottawa. The consul will sign and seal your documents once all the requirements have been met.

Retirement in Panama: Authentication and Legalization of Documents

Many Canadians dream of retiring in Panama. Depending on your personal history, you may need to prepare some or all of the following: a birth certificate, marriage certificate, a criminal record check, and proof of pension. All of the outlined documents will need to go through authentication and legalization. The process is outlined above. The experts at Legalization Service Centre Canada recommend our clients get an RCMP police check instead of a locally issued police check.

An RCMP check is always more thorough, as it is based on fingerprints. The RCMP is also globally recognized, including Global Affairs Canada. This means that you don’t need to hire a notary to notarize your local police check. This saves you time and money, which is very welcome! Global Affairs Canada may take up to 20 business days to process your documents, on average. If you wish to speed the process along, we will be more than happy to oblige with our three different offered service times. 

If you are interested in learning more about the requirements and conditions needed for your specific documents, feel free to browse our “Document Types” category on our website and to visit the official Embassy of Panama website or contact us! 

Business in Panama: Authentication and Legalization of Documents

Panama is a great attraction to those looking for work. Whether you are a future employer or a future employee, your documents will have to go through authentication and legalization. Which documents you will need to authenticate, however, will depend on whether you’re a company or an employee. 

As an Employee

If you were hired to work, you will need to provide a diploma, a Canadian university degree, and, preferably, an RCMP certified police check. RCMP police checks are usually more thorough than any other background checks available. Thus, they are more fitting for international use. Your degree, transcript and/or diplomas are obtainable directly through your alma maters. 

As a Company

If you are a Canadian company, you will need to present corporate documents. A certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, a CPP certificate, a GMP certificate, an ITC, a manufacturer’s certificate, and/or a corporate power of attorney are just some of them. Your potential partner/s in Panama will request the specific documents needed. The documents will have to be notarized and Global Affairs Canada staff will authenticate them. Finally, the Embassy of Panama will legalize them. In other words, they will go through the same authentication process as any other non-corporate documents.

Our Guarantee

It can be difficult to keep track of all the demands of the Panamanian Embassy as a client. Especially if this is your first time having to authenticate and legalize your documents! Our experts at Legalization Service Centre Canada (LSC Canada) have more than 10 years of experience with document authentication and legalization of Canadian documents. We are always working tirelessly to ensure the easiest process for you. Our client’s 5 star reviews will assure you of our quality, reliable and fast service, and our solid interpersonal relations with each embassies and consulates in Ottawa and Canada will provide you further confidence.

Source of picture: Viva Tropical