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Bahamas

Deed of Conveyance: Bahamas Authentication and Legalization

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Having a place to call your own in the Bahamas is akin to owning a piece of heaven on earth. The real estate market in the Bahamas has always been open and lucrative to Canadian prospects. Perhaps your investment is a vacation home for yourself. Or many you realized how valuable a waterfront property could be for short and long term rentals. However, property transactions in the Bahamas requires a few additional steps. Just as is the case here in Canada, you will need to have a lawyer draft a conveyance deed. A conveyance deed serves as the proof of “transference” of a title from one owner to another. On top of that, it also needs to undergo Bahamas authentication and legalization. What are the next steps you should take?

The First Step to Recognition of Your Deed

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to use your conveyance deed for a transaction, simply presenting this deed will not be sufficient. Even though the document is regarding a property in the Bahamas, your deed will need to undergo attestation.  Attestation is another way of saying “Bahamas authentication and legalization”. The terms are interchangeable and the process is the same, regardless of what you call it.

In order to complete attestation, you will need to follow a certain process. After certifying your signature on the Deed by a Canadian lawyer or notary public, you will need to submit it to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in Ottawa for authentication. GAC is the government body in Canada that authenticates all legal documents. They will review the signatures on your deed for trueness and once they are satisfied, GAC will place a stamp to indicate that it has been authenticated.

Legalization via the Bahamas High Commission

Following authentication, your document will need to be submitted to the Bahamas High Commission in Ottawa. This step is for the process of legalization, which serves as the second step of attestation. The High Commission will review your document further for accuracy and validity of the GAC stamp. Once they are satisfied, they too will place a stamp or certificate indicating that the document has been legalized.

The Benefits of Choosing Legalization Service Centre

The process of authentication and legalization can be time consuming and expensive to do by yourself. This is because authentication professionals such as Legalization Service Centre have existing networks within GAC and embassies through years of experience. You can save money and time, and your documents will be free of errors.  For example, whereas the turnaround time for authentication is 20 business days, we can have your documents processed within one business day. Our location, service level, and connection can make all the difference in how fast and effectively you have your deed of conveyance ready for use.

While property transactions anywhere can be challenging, there is an added layer of bureaucracy involved when the transactions are in a foreign country. Property dealings in the Bahamas are no exception to this. Contact us today to speak to one of our professionals to make the process easier and quicker to handle.

 

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Teaching in Qatar: Dealing with Attestation Requirements

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From the food, to the landscape to a prehistoric culture, Qatar is quite the beauty to explore. Add in the benefits of a teaching job there, and you are all set for an exquisite experience. Teaching regarded and respected quite highly in Qatar. It also comes with many perks. Your can expect for your salary to be on par with your Canadian salary with a few added benefits. Provided, you complete Qatar attestation first!

For example, most contracts include an 8-week vacation. This may seem standard compared to what you’d expect at home (two months of summer vacation!), except it doesn’t stop here. Most contracts also include airfare to and from Canada for you and your dependents, medical and dental coverage, and some even include accommodation and a stipend for transportation.

Basically, your major expenses are paid for and what you “earn” is really yours to enjoy. They must really love teachers, no?

It is easy to see why every year, thousands of Canadians apply to teaching positions in Qatar. Unfortunately, due to popular demand for these roles, only a handful are offered the opportunity. If you happen to be one of those lucky ones, congratulations! You are about to begin a profitable adventure. Celebrations are in order, but before that, what’s next?

The beginning of Qatar attestation

  1. Organize Your Documents

Your new employers will likely be asking you for a slew of different documents. Your teaching degree, university certificates, transcripts, police clearance, passport and IDs are all fair game. As soon as you hear some good news, it’s time to get to work. Proper preparation is very important since you are dealing with a foreign country. If you forget something, it may take much longer to have it over to them which can delay your plans. And don’t forget, some of your documents may need to be requested/ordered from institutions, like your college transcript. Also, it is a good practice to create notarized copies of all original documents. All of this takes time, so start planning and collecting as soon as possible.

  1. Document Authentication

Any time you want to use a document originating in one country in another, it will need to be authenticated. This is to verify its legitimacy. As well as ensure to the foreign country that the document is valid and truly what it claims to be.

In other words, to attest it. In Canada however, this process is called document authentication. Meaning, the terms are interchangeable. Global Affairs Canada, a government body situated in Ottawa authenticates your documents. Make sure you’ve collected and notarized all your documents first. Afterwards, you will submit them to GAC for review. GAC will verify that the signatures on the documents match those in their repository and the documents meet all other relevant criteria. Finally, GAC will place a large red stamp on each document to verify that the authentication process has been completed.

  1. Document Legalization

The second step to completing attestation of your documents is to present them to the Embassy of Qatar in Ottawa. This is document legalization. The embassy will conduct their own review of the documents to ensure that they are valid, mainly verifying the GAC stamp. Once satisfied, they too will attach a stamp or certificate of legalization to your documents.

What is next  and how can we help?

Completing legalization ensures your documents are attested, or fully authenticated. All that’s left to do is send them to your employers or the government of Qatar, whomever of these entities have requested for them.

But, if you were to truly approach this the right way, then the first step would be to acquire more information and guidance. Even before you start preparing your documents, it is a good idea to talk to authentication professionals such as Legalization Service Centre about the process. Consult with one of our experienced professionals about what you need to provide and the instructions you received from the employer. Because of differences in culture, language and distance, communication can be difficult and delayed between you and the hiring entity. We deal with hundreds of teachers who have met their documentation needs through us. So chances are, we’ll have some tips and suggestions that’ll make it easier for you to understand the process and be better prepared to respond and relay documents accordingly.

Moreover, our network and connections within the GAC, as well as our Ottawa-based location allow us to complete document authentication and legalization much faster than if you were to approach them yourself. For example, whereas typically it takes up to 20 business days for GAC to authenticate, we can have your documents authenticated in as little as one business day. The quick turnaround, along with error-free submissions can save you money and time that you can use to prepare the other aspects of your trip.

The period after you secure that job can be both stressful and exhilarating. Mental preparation for the trip, tying loose ends at home, preparing to move to another country, and having your documents in order are all big tasks. We can’t help you with all of it, but we can make the bit with the paperwork a little but easier. Call us together to speak with one of our experienced professionals. Then, get back to planning your move to Qatar, at least for period of time!

 

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Teaching in the UAE: Degrees and Qualification Certificates Attestation

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Teaching in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become an increasingly popular affair, and a highly competitive one at that! This is for good reason. Working as a teacher in the UAE comes with many perks. Asides from a great salary, did you know that teachers can expect to receive provisions such as paid accommodation, healthcare, round flight tickets to their home country during summer break, and a bonus month’s salary for each completed contract year? This means that you can potentially build up a good amount of savings in a short period of time. Adding in the experience of working a job in a beautiful country and this easily becomes a dream career opportunity! What are some things you should know for your document legalization and authentication needs for your new teaching job? Below are some pointers to keep in mind.

Gather all of your essential documents for the UAE

Once you’ve received an offer of employment, your new employers will start asking you for your qualifications. You might need to show everything: Your college/university transcripts, degrees, TEFL certification, and/or teaching license. It’s a good idea to gather all of these documents together and create certified and notarized copies of true originals.

Getting prepared early is the key to stress-free success here. It can take time to order and receive transcripts and replacement certificates if you need any. Factor in time for creating true copies of originals, certifying and notarizing.

Call an authentication professional

In order for all of your documents to be valid for use in the UAE,  they will need to go through the process of document authentication and legalization. If you aren’t familiar with the process, it’s a great idea to consult with a professional. Likewise if you simply haven’t authenticated documents for this purpose before. We’ll provide you with all of the information you need, and guide you to the best of our abilities on how to proceed. At Legalization Service Centre, we process hundreds of documents for teachers regularly, so you can rest assure your document processing needs will be efficiently met by us. There is a high chance that we’ve worked with your school by helping our other Canadian teacher clients.

Have your degree certificates and qualification documents attested for UAE

Your documents will need to go through the screening processes of document authentication and legalization, also known as attestation. Authentication happens at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in Ottawa, where your documents are reviewed to ensure that all of the signatures on them are true and belong to GAC’s repository of authorized individuals. Once they are satisfied, GAC will place a large red stamp demonstrating that the documents have been authenticated.

Next, your documents will need to be legalized by the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Ottawa. The embassy will ensure that the GAC stamp is valid, and that the documents meet all of the requirements and standards in place by the UAE for foreign teachers. Once they are satisfied, they too will place a stamp or certificate indicating that the documents have been legalized.

Following completion of your document processing, Legalization Service Centre will courier them to the address you specify, such as to the school where you will be teaching. This means that we take the stress right off of your hands right from when you call us to the very end when the end party receives your documents!

Now all you have to do is plan for an adventurous opportunity filled with endless potential!

Legalization Service Centre has an A+ standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 5 star client rating on Google. We take great pride in serving our customers well, and look forward to building new client relations as we go. Feel free to call us with any questions you may have, even if you don’t need your documents processed by us. We’re happy to help whenever we can!

 

 

 

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The Hague Convention: Authentication, Legalization and Apostille

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The Hague Apostille Convention a.k.a. the Hague Convention is a multilateral treaty drafted by the Hague Conference. It’s an attempt to standardize the way documents are certified. Drafted in 1961, the Hague Convention now sees 115 countries as is signatories. These countries recognize a standard document apostille process, which validates them after the process. Thereafter, they can legally recognize documents as equivalent to their own. Canada, however, is not part of the Hague Convention. Instead, documents need to undergo authentication and legalization.

Canada and the Hague Convention

So why isn’t Canada a signatory? It’s not quite clear, but more importantly, it means that it can’t produce document apostilles. Canada even takes things a step further! You can NOT authenticate a copy of a document that has already undergone apostille. To authenticate that document, you must submit another notarized true copy.

It may be confusing for anyone going through this process to understand the difference. If a country asks you for a document apostille and your documents originated in Canada, what do you do? The answer is quite simple. While the terminology is different, document apostille and authentication and legalization mean the same thing. So to “do apostille” really means to authenticate and legalize your documents.

Apostille in Canada: Step 1

In Canada, authentication of documents can only be conducted by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), located in Ottawa. GAC will accept notarized copies of your documents and they will conduct a review of them. They will check the signatures and stamps to ensure they are true and valid. With that done, GAC will place a red stamp on your document to prove it has been authenticated.

Apostille in Canada: Step 2

After authentication, your documents must undergo legalization. Note which country you’re going to use them in! The corresponding embassy or consulate of the country will be legalizing them for you. The embassy will conduct a second review of your documents to ensure that the GAC stamp is true and valid. They will affix either a stamp or a certificate to indicate that the documents have been verified and legalized.

Confused? Exhausted? We can help

The process of document authentication and legalization may seem daunting to anyone who has not gone through it before, however, if done correctly, it can be rather simple administration. Where complications arise is if the documents to be authenticated and legalized have not been prepared properly or the associated forms not filled out correctly. Errors or omissions can cost you a great deal of added time to completion and additional fees. For these reasons, it is always a good idea to have an authentication and legalization professional review your documents and submit them for you. An added benefit of going through a professional service provider such as Legalization Service Centre (LAC) is that our networks at GAC allow for your documents to be prepared in as quickly as one business day whereas the normal wait time is up to 22 business days.

Over years of commitment to authentication and legalization, LAC has garnered a five star rating on Google reviews from many clients and an A+ standing with the BBB. We take customer service very seriously, but more importantly, we know the process of document authentication and legalization inside out for any of your document needs. If you have any questions regarding the processing of your documents, give us a call at 1-800-857-1215 to speak to one of our professionals, or send us a WhatsApp message at +1-613-501-0555 any time.

 

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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.