Document Authentication and Legalization
If you need to have a Canadian document officially recognized in a non-apostille country, it must go through the authentication and legalization process in Canada. We will expertly handle this process on your behalf, supporting you from start to finish. Get in touch with us to discuss your documents and find out more about the authentication and legalization process.
About Document Authentication and Legalization
Document authentication and legalization is a process that allows a document to be officially recognized in a foreign country that is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention. The process involves authentication by the appropriate government authority where the document originated and legalization by the diplomatic mission of the destination country.
If your document is destined for another apostille country, take a look at our page about Document Apostille.
Document Authentication
Document authentication is done by the appropriate government authority in the country where the document was issued. In Canada, there are several offices that authenticate documents from specific jurisdictions, such as Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Quebec. Global Affairs Canada is the federal authentication authority and accepts documents from the other provinces and Federal institutions.
The authentication authority will place a certificate of authentication directly on your document, confirming the the document is authentic. Your document is now ready for the next step of document legalization.
Document Legalization
Document legalization involves submitting your document to the appropriate embassy or consulate of the destination country. They will confirm the authenticity of the authentication certificate and that your document meets their requirements. When satisfied, the embassy or consulate will affix a stamp or sticker directly to your document and your document is now ready to use in that country.
Be sure to check on the requirements of the embassy or consulate of the destination country. These requirements can vary and change regularly.
Global Recognition – Document Apostille Services
From document apostille, to authentication and legalization, our specialized services ensure global recognition of your documents.
We are your trusted document apostille partner, handling everything from procurement, preparation, translation, notarization, and more. Bringing our expertise to each step, so you can trust that your documents will be accepted anywhere in the world.
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 & legalization process. This allows acceptance in countries that are not members of the Apostille Convention. For these destinations, the 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 authentication & legalization process.
-
The best way to determine whether or not your documents need to be authenticated and legalized is to confirm with the recipient abroad. Most commonly, Canadian documents to be used abroad will require authentication and legalization first. The authentication and legalization process, also known as Apostille, is a multi-step process of signature verification. Once your documents have been authenticated and legalized, the recipient abroad will see that they have been through the appropriate steps to ensure they are valid and prepared correctly.
For a free consultation and to determine whether your documents require authentication and legalization, feel free to contact us.
-
Yes and no. A document with an apostille can be used in almost any other apostille signatory country without additional requirements. Whereas, a document that has gone through the authentication and legalization process is only ready to use in the country for which it was legalized.
Both the apostille and the document authentication and legalization process have the same purpose; to certify a document created in one country so that it can be officially recognized in another country. Apostille certificates are issued by countries that are signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention.
We are available to answer your questions and to discuss your documents. Contact us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us an online enquiry.
-
There are a few different aspects to consider when preparing your documents for authentication and legalization.
- The recipient abroad should advise you what documents they need, whether they must be originals, and how they want them processed.
- You must meet the criteria of the authentication process. Whether you will authenticate with Global Affairs Canada, or the appropriate provincial office, they each have specific criteria for authentication.
- Each embassy or consulate also has their own specific requirements and rules for submission of documents for legalization. You must ensure you also meet their criteria for legalization.
We will happily discuss and review your documents for authentication and legalization. We will make sure your documents have been correctly prepared for each step of the process. Contact an IDC expert for more information and to answer your questions.
-
Attestation is a term used in some countries to describe the process of having a document from one country certified so that it will be officially recognized in another country. The official term for the equivalent Canadian process is called document authentication and legalization. Regardless of the terminology used, the process for a Canadian document will involve authentication at Global Affairs Canada and legalization at the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
Our website has a wealth of information on the Canadian authentication and legalization process. Better yet, contact our friendly experts to get answers to your questions.
-
The processing times for document authentication and legalization can vary depending on the authentication office and the diplomatic mission involved.
Each office in Canada that provides authentication (or apostille) has it’s own procedure and turn-around time.
Each embassy or consulate also has its own processing time, subject to consular availability. Some will also offer rush services for an additional fee.
Authentications can range from 1 business day to 65 business days. If you decide to handle the process yourself by mail, the process may take longer. The mail-in processing times can vary and depend on current volumes.
Following the authentication, typical processing times at most embassies and consulates range from 2-15 business days. Note that some embassies or consulates can take several weeks.
We can help you prepare the documents and ensure they meet the criteria of the process. IDC experts are standing by if you have any questions or concerns you need to discuss. Contact IDC for your free consultation. You can also call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011.
-
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 and authentication and legalization. Offering services for a wide range of personal and commercial documents, our team will ensure your documents meet global standards. For a detailed list of the most commonly processed documents, visit our Documents Page.
Pricing
Our prices for document services, such as apostille, legalization, and more, can vary depending on many factors. Including 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
Thanks IDC! You have saved me and untold amount of time and I thank you for your service. When reading of requirements foreign government document requirements on the internet, it can be confusing and time consuming. I would recommend IDC to anyone who requires document authentication.
Thank you all for your assistance and professionalism. I can’t say enough about the service we received. I will not hesitate to utilize your firm again in the future or to recommend your firm to my colleagues.
I had a fairly complicated matter dealing with an embassy that is not very friendly; IDC dealt with it in the most professional and speedy manner. It was great to be able to pick up the phone and easily talk with a knowledgeable person; it was also wonderful to see you go the extra mile to double check with the embassy what they wanted. Attempting to do all this by mail would have been much longer and much more stressful; I am very glad I decided to use your services.
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.
Fantastic service. This is no mere hyperbole. Their communication was constant and timely, the service was extremely quick (2 days – I paid extra for rush service) and all of my instructions were followed to the letter. All of their efforts and arrangements scream pure class. Definitely no shortcuts here. I would 100% recommend.
My first reaction was ‘wow, just wow’. In all the years I have been dealing with this matter (13, yes 13 years) I can honestly say that Idocs are the first agency to deliver what they promised and before time. It was so refreshing to see and as far as customer satisfaction is concerned Idocs has trumped all other agencies in that regard. Once again so many thanks for your efficient and speedy 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.