FAQs Archive

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.

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.

We process all types of Canadian documents. Once we confirm that your documents have been prepared correctly, we can handle the document apostille, or authentication and legalization, process on your behalf. Examples of the most commonly processed documents are:

• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Death Certificate
• University or College Degree
• Criminal Record Check
• High School Diploma
• Single Status Declaration
• Marriage Search Certificate
• Power of Attorney
• Commercial Invoice
• Certificate of Origin
• Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product
• Good Manufacturing Practices Certificate
• Medical Device Licence

For more information on each type of document, you can review our detailed document pages. If you want to speak to an IDC specialist about your documents, feel free to contact us. We are available to answer your questions and make sure your documents meet the criteria of the process. Call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us an online enquiry.

The document authentication and legalization process is a multi-step process of signature verification. The steps involved will depend on where your documents originated from and in what country they will be used.

If your document is destined for a country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, your document will require an apostille. However, if the destination country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents will need both authentication and legalization.

However, most of the authentication offices in Canada are now apostille offices and apply apostilles instead of an authentication. You submit your document to the appropriate apostille office and they will apply an apostille certificate directly on to your original document.

During the document legalization portion of the process, the embassy or consulate will add an additional stamp, sticker, or certificate to your document. Each embassy or consulate differs in the format, style, colour and language of legalization. The legalization stamp/sticker/certificate verifies that the signatures on your documents are authentic and valid.

We can handle the process on your behalf and ensure your documents are processed accurately. Contact us for a free no obligation quote. We would be happy to provide you with the information you need and expedite this often long and confusing process.

There are a few different aspects to consider when preparing your documents for authentication and legalization.

1. The recipient abroad should advise you what documents they need, whether they must be originals, and how they want them processed.
2. 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.
3. 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.

To find out whether you need to authenticate and legalize your documents, you should ask the recipient abroad. However, if you have Canadian documents that will be used in another country, they will likely need to be apostilled, or authenticated and legalized, also known as attestation.

The reason for the process is to verify the signatures on your documents. By having the documents apostilled, or authenticated and legalized, the recipient abroad can rest assured that your documents have been properly processed.

You can also contact our friendly staff to discuss your situation. We would love to hear from you!