FAQs Archive

Superlegalization is a term that some diplomatic missions, including the Embassy of the Czech Republic, used to describe the legalization of Canadian documents. However, now that Canada has signed the Hague Apostille Convention (took effect January 2024), superlegalization is no longer required. Instead, your documents will require a Canadian apostille.

Feel free to contact us with further questions about the superlegalization, or apostille, of Canadian documents.

Attestation, or Document Attestation, is another term commonly used by some foreign countries and their diplomatic missions to describe the process of document authentication and legalization. This is a multi-step process to certify that your Canadian documents can be used abroad. The three steps of the process are:

1. Document preparation - make sure your documents meet the criteria of the process.
2. Document authentication - your documents are authenticated at Global Affairs Canada.
3. Document legalization - your documents are legalized by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

Let us know if you have further questions about the attestation, or authentication and legalization, process. Contact us by calling toll-free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us an online enquiry.

The term "Apostille" refers to The Hague Apostille Convention. An apostille is a type of document certification that allows a document from one apostille signatory country to be used in another apostille country. Canada has now signed the Hague Apostille Convention and it took effect in January 2024.

Previously, the process in Canada was called “Authentication and Legalization”, a similar process that allowed Canadian documents to be used in another country.

For more information about the Canadian apostille process, contact our friendly staff. We can answer your questions and ensure your documents meet the criteria of the process. Call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us an online enquiry.

It is always recommended to submit an original document for apostille, or authentication and legalization. In many cases, a Certified True Copy of a document can go through the process.

However, there are some exceptions. For example, Global Affairs Canada does not accept copies of vital statistics documents, and there are some diplomatic missions that will only accept original documents.

We continually track these requirements of the Canadian government offices and the diplomatic missions. We also recommend that you verify with the recipient of your document whether a Certified True Copy is acceptable for use in the destination country. Together we can ensure your document will be accepted.

Feel free to contact our friendly staff for more information. Call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us an online enquiry.

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.

Document authentication is one step of a multi-step process called document authentication and legalization. The document authentication process involves submitting your document to the appropriate authentication office (or apostille office, in most cases).

Global Affairs Canada (GAC), formerly The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAIT), in Ottawa will "authenticate" the official signature on your document by adding their apostille certificate.

In most cases, your document can be "authenticated" with the appropriate Provincial authority. However, you should verify with both the recipient abroad and the Embassy or Consulate of your destination country, whether they accept this form of document "authentication".

Contact our helpful staff to find out more about the authentication of Canadian documents.