Document Legalization
Document legalization in Canada is the final step in the authentication and legalization process for international document use. This step is completed at the embassy or consulate of the destination country. Read on to learn more, or contact our friendly staff—we’d be happy to answer your questions.
About Document Legalization
When you need to have your Canadian documents officially recognized in another country that has not signed the Hague Apostille Convention, you will need to go through the document authentication and legalization process. This process may also be referred to as document attestation.
The last step of the process involves submitting your documents to the appropriate embassy or consulate of the destination country for legalization. They will confirm the authenticity of the authentication applied by the appropriate government office and ensure that your documents meet all applicable requirements. When satisfied, the embassy or consulate will affix a stamp or certificate directly to your documents. Your documents have now successfully completed the legalization process.
Other terms for document legalization
There are other terms used around the world for the document authentication and legalization process. The term “attestation” is commonly used by countries in the Middle East, and is often associated with educational documents. The attestation process is the same as the document authentication and legalization process.
There are other terms we have heard for the process as well, such as ratification and super-legalization. No matter what term is used, they all refer to the same process of having a document from one jurisdiction properly verified and certified for use in another jurisdiction.
Global Recognition, Local Expertise: Your Documents, Validated Everywhere
From apostilles to attestations, our specialized services ensure global recognition for your documents. We are your trusted partner in Canadian document apostille, handling everything from authentication to legalization, translation, and notarization. Whatever term you have heard – legalization, ratification, and more – we bring clarity and expertise to each step, so your documents make the impact they deserve anywhere in the world.
We are here to help you. Contact us for your free consultation – we will explain your options and answer your questions.
The Authentication & Legalization Process
To have a Canadian document recognized abroad, it must go through the authentication and legalization process. This allows acceptance in countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention. The Canadian authentication and legalization process involves the following three steps.
Document Preparation
Preparing your document for the document authentication and legalization process can involve multiple steps including notarization, translation, and more.
Document Authentication
The document authentication process is the first step of the process to have your document officially recognized in another country that is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention.
Document Legalization
The document legalization process is the last step of the process and involves having your document legalized by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are answers to the most common questions we get about the document legalization process.
-
When you need to use your Canadian document outside of Canada, you may be asked to have it authenticated, legalized, or to obtain an apostille. These terms all refer to a process that verifies your document so it can be used in the destination country.
Document legalization is the last step of the authentication and legalization process. This step is required when the destination country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Document legalization involves having your document stamped and signed by a consular officer at the appropriate Embassy or Consulate of the destination country in Canada.
If the destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, it will only require an apostille.
Contact our friendly experts to find out more about the requirements of the document legalization process.
-
The legalization process takes place with the appropriate embassy or consulate of the destination country. Each embassy or consulate has their own processing time, ranging from 1 day to 2 weeks. Some embassies and consulates will also provide rush services for an additional fee.
However, before the documents can be submitted for legalization, they will need to be apostilled, or authenticated, by Global Affairs Canada or the appropriate provincial body. The processing timeline depends on the office where the documents are submitted.
Contact us to find out how long your documents will take or how we can expedite the process. You can call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011, or send us an online enquiry.
-
To prepare your documents to be legalized, you need to confirm that your documents will meet the criteria of the recipient abroad, the criteria of the apostille or authentication office in Canada, and the requirements of the embassy or consulate of the destination country (if the destination is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention).
Global Affairs Canada, and the provincial authorities, have specific requirements of different types of documents and you will want to carefully review these before submitting them. For example, some documents must be originals and some must be notarized.
The diplomatic missions also have their own requirements that may be document specific. Some embassies or consulates have translation requirements, others requires additional supporting documents. Each diplomatic mission is unique.
Contact an IDC specialist to find out how to properly prepare your documents. We look forward to hearing from you.
-
Yes! We can certainly help with the legalization of your Canadian documents. In fact, in some cases it is mandatory that you have your documents submitted in person to the embassy or consulate.
If your documents are destined for another country that has signed the Hague Apostille Convention, you will not require document legalization. Find out more about apostilles here: Canadian Document Apostille Process.
We will help you to make sure you have the correct documents, that you provide the correct supporting documents, and we will deal directly with the diplomatic mission on your behalf. You send your documents to us and we will handle the rest!
Contact our friendly specialists to discuss your options and find out more about the process.
-
As a part of our authentication and legalization services, we will take care of every detail, including the payment of the consular fees. When we prepare your detailed quote, we will include the Consular Fees. These fees will be paid by us and will depend on the type of documents, the number of documents, and in some cases the speed of service at the diplomatic mission.
Contact us to discuss your document and find out the cost for consular fees for your documents. Call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us an online enquiry.
-
Yes, if you are using the services of IDC to manage the apostille process, you can check the progress of your documents. Within our proprietary system, we have built in a progress tracker that allows you to monitor the progress of your documents through every stage of the process. By logging in to your workform, you will be able to see which steps have been completed and what will be completed next.
In addition to the progress module that allows you to check the status of your document request, you will also be personally notified by our expert staff when your documents arrive at our office, whether we require any additional documents or information, when your documents have been completed, and finally when they have been shipped to the final destination. It is important to us that you know exactly what is happening with your important documents and when to expect them to be safely returned.
Whether you still have questions, or you want to get started with our services, we encourage you to contact our office. Call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011, or send us an online enquiry.
-
Yes, you can track your documents that you sent through the mail if you used a service that provides you with a tracking number. Some such services are Canada Post registered mail, Canada Post Xpress Post, Canada Post Priority mail, or any professional courier service (i.e. FedEx, Purolator, UPS, DHL).
It is up to you to choose your preferred method of shipping, both to send your documents to our office and for the shipping of your completed documents to their final destination. We always recommend using a traceable method of shipping.
If you would like to discuss your shipping options or prices for the shipping of your documents, feel free to contact our friendly staff. We will happily discuss your shipping options and how to best suit your needs. Contact us today! Call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011, or send us an online enquiry.
Documents
We are your trusted service for document apostille, or authentication and legalization. We offer services for a wide range of personal and commercial documents. Our team helps to ensure your documents meet global standards securely and efficiently. For a detailed list of the most common documents, visit our Documents Page.
Pricing
Our prices for document services, such as apostille, authentication, legalization, and more, can vary depending on many factors. These factors may include the origins of your documents, the destination country where they will be used, or the desired speed of service. For a list of our service fees, visit our Pricing page.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Thank you so much for your help in navigating the language of authenticating and legalizing documents. Your expertise was crucial to my understanding of the process. Your staff were quick to respond with answers to questions and went out of their way to make things easier for me to navigate the process of obtaining the proper paperwork required for an International Work Visa.
Thank you so much for your prompt and efficient service. I wish I had come to you a year ago! I will definitely recommend you to my friends and associates.
From the first contact until I received my documents everything was clear and efficient and the customer service was superb. Due to a tight timeline I was not at all convinced that I would be able to get all my documents processed on time but everything was done for me as quickly as possible. I would recommend this service to anyone who is needing to get documents processed for a move overseas and I wouldn’t hesitate to use this service again in the future. A big thank you for helping me in an extremely stressful and busy time.
Impeccable service. Fast and efficient. Perfect process. Thank you.
Thank you very much for helping me with my documents for getting married in Colombia. I am very happy that I reached out to your professional company who told me and did exactly as you promised. If I ever need your help again I will not hesitate to call you.
Excellent, fast, efficient and professional service.
Looking for More Information?
We have a wealth of information for you about the document apostille process.
View our FAQs
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about the document apostille process and the services we offer.
In-Depth Articles
We have developed a large and growing collection of informative articles about the apostille process and our services.
Additional Resources
We have a wealth of information for you about apostille, authentication, and legalization (also called attestation) services.