Whether you are going overseas for work, residency, or marriage, you may be asked to provide your Canadian birth certificate. To make your Canadian birth certificate legal for use in another country, you will likely need to have your birth certificate authenticated and legalized. Navigating the authentication and legalization process can be tricky. There are several types of Canadian birth certificates, and you need the correct type of certificate for the process. The type of that you need is determined by the requirements of Global Affairs Canada, the diplomatic mission of your destination country, and the recipient abroad. In this article, we outline the different types of Canadian birth certificates, how to process them for use overseas, and how to obtain them.
Different types of Canadian birth certificates
In Canada, there are three different types of birth certificates. These three different types of Canadian birth certificates are all considered long-form. The type of Canadian birth certificate that you need depends on what the recipient requires and the purpose of the legalization. All three different types of original certificates can be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada as is, without any additional steps such as notarization. In fact, only original Canadian birth certificates can be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. If you are not sure which Canadian birth certificate you have, and how to identify which one you need for use abroad, please contact us and our friendly staff will be happy to assist.
The first type of Canadian birth certificate has the least amount of information. This certificate is an extract of information from the original birth registration. It contains basic information such as name, date of birth, sex, and birthplace. This Canadian birth certificate can be used for the authentication and legalization process. However, our document processing specialists generally recommend processing one of the other types of Canadian birth certificates which contain more information.
The birth certificate with parental information is the second type of Canadian birth certificate. This birth certificate contains the same information as the regular Canadian birth certificate, as well as the names and places of birth of the individual’s parents.
The certified copy of the birth registration is the third type of Canadian birth certificate you can obtain from the province where the birth took place. This Canadian birth certificate has the most information and is often required for residency or obtaining citizenship in another country. In addition to all information found on the regular birth certificate, this type of Canadian birth certificate includes additional details about the birth registration, such as the parent’s country of birth, where they lived at the time of the birth, and the parent’s marital status.
Some Canadians may still have their Canadian wallet size birth certificate. The wallet size certificates cannot be used for the authentication and legalization process. These documents are simply too small for the process and can no longer be obtained from any province in Canada. If you have a wallet sized Canadian birth certificate, you will need to order a new version from your province of birth.
How to obtain the different types of Canadian birth certificates
Original long-form Canadian birth certificates are issued by the provincial vital statistics office in the province where you were born. Many provinces allow you to order your Canadian birth certificate online. You can easily have your Canadian birth certificate mailed directly to our office to save processing time and additional mailing costs. To access the online portals for ordering new Canadian birth certificates, or for each province’s requirements and procedures, you can visit our webpage on Birth Certificates.
How do I authenticate and legalize the different types of Canadian birth certificates
There are three steps to authenticate and legalize any of the different types of Canadian birth certificates:
How does Document Authentication and Legalization work?
Canadian document authentication and legalization includes three important steps:
Step 1: Document Preparation
The first step is to ensure you have the correct type of Canadian birth certificate. Once you have confirmed you have the right type of certificate to meet the requirements of Global Affairs Canada, the diplomatic mission of the destination country, and the recipient abroad, you can send your original document to our office.
Step 2: Document Authentication
The second step of the process is to have your Canadian birth certificate authenticated. After you prepare your documents, they may need to be submitted to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) for authentication. Once the GAC staff has determined that your Canadian birth certificate meets their requirements they will place a large red stamp directly on your document, confirming it has been authenticated. Depending on your destination country, some diplomatic missions do not require authentication on Canadian birth certificates, saving you time and fees. Please contact us to confirm whether your Canadian birth certificate requires authentication.
Step 3: Document Legalization
The third and final step of the process is to have your Canadian birth certificate legalized. Document legalization involves submitting your Canadian birth certificate to the embassy or consulate of your destination country. The embassy or consulate will verify the signature of Global Affairs Canada, or the vital statistics officer who signed the birth certificate, making the Canadian birth certificate legal for use in your destination country. Your document is now ready to be submitted in the foreign country.
Can you help me with authenticating and legalizing my Canadian birth certificate?
At International Documents Canada, we specialize in managing the authentication and legalization process for our clients. When you contact us for your free consultation, we will take the time to understand your specific situation and answer any questions. We will clearly explain your options and provide you with a detailed quote, so that you have the information you need to figure out which option is right for you. Contact us through our website or phone us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011 – we look forward to hearing from you!
