Document Validation

It is common to be asked for document validation of your Canadian personal or commercial documents. It may be a requirement to prove your identity, for immigration purposes, or when doing business abroad.

What is document validation?

The term validation can be used to describe any of the following procedures in Canada:

Document Notarization
Document Authentication
Document Legalization

What is document notarization?

Document notarization is done by having a specially authorized person, a Notary Public (or Notary in Quebec) or lawyer, certify your document by adding their signature and seal. They will have either witnessed a signature on the document or made a certified true copy of an original document.

A certified true copy is a photocopy of the original document that is certified by the Notary Public as a true copy of the original. The Notary Public will certify it by making a statement that it is a true copy and adding their signature and seal.

What is document authentication?

Document authentication is the first step of the authentication and legalization process, and involves having your Canadian document stamped and signed by Global Affairs Canada. In some cases, the authentication may be done by the provincial authority.

What is document legalization?

Document legalization is a term used to describe the process of obtaining the signature and seal of a foreign diplomatic mission on a Canadian document. The Consular Officer at the diplomatic mission will certify that the document authentication is genuine and the official has the authority to execute the authentication.

You can use document validation services

Our expertise enable us to provide you with fast and reliable document validation services. We can save you weeks of processing time and ensure your documents meet the criteria of the process.