If you are in Canada and need to use a document in a foreign country, it may first need to be authenticated and legalized, or apostilled. The authentication and legalization process is used to certify the authenticity of a document so that it will be officially recognized by another country that has not signed the Hague Apostille Convention. The apostille process serves a similar function for documents destined for other apostille signatory countries.
Our company specializes in navigating this process on behalf of our clients. We apostille, authenticate, and legalize many thousands of documents every year. Our website has a wealth of information on this process. But what if your document is in Arabic? Are there any special considerations when processing an Arabic document for use outside Canada?
The simple answer is that a document in Arabic can be apostilled, or authenticated and legalized, like any other document. However, you will be required to have it translated by a certified translator.
This article reviews the authentication and legalization process, with a focus on the specific translation requirements that apply to a document written in Arabic. If you have documents destined for another apostille member country, we recommend you review the following article: Your Go-To Checklist To Ensure Your Canadian Documents Are Apostille-Ready
The three steps to authenticating and legalizing a document
There are three steps involved in authenticating and legalizing a document in Canada:
Step 1 involves preparing your document for the authentication and legalization process. Required preparations may involve having the document notarized by a notary public, preparing required supporting documents, or having your document translated. These requirements are set by the authentication office, the embassy or consulate, and the recipient abroad.
Step 2 involves authenticating your document at the appropriate government authentication office. The authentication staff will verify that your document meets their requirements, and then will place a certificate of authentication on your document.
Step 3 involves legalizing your document at the embassy or consulate of the country in which you will be using this document.
Translations required by the Authentication Office
The translation requirements of the authentication authorities vary by location. Some offices require translation of any foreign language contained in a document, and some do not. If your document is written in Arabic, or any other language other than English or French, the authentication office may require a certified translation to be submitted along with your document. If your document is partially in English or French, and partially in Arabic, you may also need to have the Arabic portion translated. See below for information on how to find a certified translator near you.
Translations required by the relevant diplomatic mission
Each embassy or consulate sets its own unique requirements for legalizing a document. There are a few embassies and consulates who require the translation of any document not in their official language. For example, the Embassy of Egypt requires that any document that is not in Arabic be accompanied by an Arabic translation, which must be processed along with the original document.
Getting accurate information on the translation requirements of a particular embassy or consulate can be difficult. A search of their website is a good place to start, and in some cases you will be able to get an answer from their staff if you contact them directly. We also invite you to contact our friendly staff to determine what translation requirements apply to your specific situation.
How to find a certified translator
In Canada, each province has its own certification process for the translators located in that province. To find a certified translator in your province you can go to the website of the relevant certification agency. This website will have a list of certified translators in that province or territory, along with their contact information.
Here is a list of provincial and territorial associations of certified translators across Canada:
- Alberta – ATIA
- British Colombia – STIBC
- Manitoba – ATIM
- Ontario – ATIO
- Quebec – OTTIAQ
- Saskatchewan – ATIS
- New Brunswick – CTINB
- Nova Scotia – ATINE
- Prince Edward Island – CTIC
- Newfoundland and Labrador – CTIC
- Nunavut – CTIC
- Northwest Territories – CTIC
Getting more information
If you have more questions about how to authenticate and legalize a document in Arabic, we invite you to contact us. We’ll review your specific situation, answer any questions, and outline your options. Phone us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011, or submit our quick form and we will get right back to you.
