Document Authentication
& Legalization
What is Authentication and Legalization?
Authentication and legalization is a process by which Canadian documents are made to be recognized in a foreign country. As the name implies, this is a two step process of verification. The first step, authentication, is performed by the Canadian Government. The second step, legalization, is performed by the diplomatic mission to Canada of the country in which the documents are to be used.
Why use PSO for your Authentication and Legalization needs?
Expedited Processing
Global Affairs Canada recommends “hiring a private service provider, such as an authentication and legalization service or process server in the Ottawa-Gatineau area” in order to reduce the time required for authentication.
Embassy and Consular Experience
The PSO team has extensive experience and relationships with many of the Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions in Ottawa and surrounding area. We can reduce your authentication and legalization processing time to a matter of days, rather than weeks or months, while ensuring all is in order and completed properly the first time.
Experienced Professionals
Requirements for authentication and legalization of Canadian documents can be very specific, and change regularly, depending on the specific document and country of legalization. Our experience can help remove uncertainty around the authentication and legalization process, helping you navigate the in’s and out’s.
Documents common for authentication and legalization:
How long does the process of Authentication and Legalization take?
Authentication and Legalization of Canadian documents can be a long, complicated process if attempted without the help of an authentication and legalization service in Ottawa. According to the Global Affairs Canada website, documents submitted for authentication by mail can take “approximately 25 days”. By the time mailing and processing by an Embassy is considered, the entire process can take 1.5 to 2 months to be completed. This is of course assuming all documents are in order and nothing is missed.
Working with PSO, we can cut your timeline to a matter of days. Depending on your needs and the country in which they are to be used, our authentication and legalization service can have your documents processed in as little as one business day.
Authentication of Canadian Documents
The first step in the process, document authentication, is a certification of the signature of the official executing the document. Authentication does not certify the contents of the document. This authentication is performed by Global Affairs Canada (formerly Department of Foreign Affairs) in Ottawa.
Some documents will require notarization prior to authentication. If you are unsure of the requirements for your particular document, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Legalization of Canadian Documents
The second step in the process, legalization, is a certification of the signature of the Canadian authority that has authenticated the document. This step is executed by the Embassy, Consulate, or High Commission of the country in which the document is to be used after authentication and legalization. Once this step is complete, the document can be used and recognized as valid in the country for which it has been legalized.
More Information
For more information, or to have your Canadian document authentication and legalization completed quickly and efficiently, feel free to contact our knowledgeable team by phone at +1 (613) 203-5957, or by email contact@psoprofessional.ca and we will be happy to help.
You may also check our authentication and legalization articles section for more detailed and country specific information.
M. Headley
Dubai, UAE
“While getting ready to head back out of country to work internationally and only 6 weeks to spare, I started this process of requesting transcripts to be sent to the embassy during week 1. Everything was on track, or so I thought, but on PSO’s end they were telling me that the embassy didn’t get the correct documents…needless to say the University messed up real bad sending incomplete documents causing unnecessary delays. Jordan was incredibly patient during this process-having made many trips to check the status of my documents. In the end, I got my documents with a few days to spare before I boarded the plane back to the Middle East.
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G. Van Wyk
Calgary, AB
“Service Excellence and PSO in my opinion = Perfect Service Ontime.
THANK YOU for consistent and reliable Client Care!!”
S.W. - LCBO
Toronto, ON
“Quick, easy and reliable. Highly recommended for speed and excellent customer service.”
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O. Ebrahimpour
Montreal, QC
“Recently, I contacted PSO for authentication of a medical document. First they explained me the procedure and guided me how to prepare the document. As soon as they received my document by mail, they informed me and they started to proceed my file. I am very happy about their service as they did it on time.”
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T. Subaihi - Director at Taqa Global
Abu Dhabi, UAE
“The service was outstanding. I had requested attestation of my degree in Ottawa from both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and my Embassy. PSO took care of it less than two days after receiving my documents. Outstanding service, extremely professional, highly recommended.”
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A. Daghache
“Jordan helped me in getting my degrees and transcripts asserted by the Saudi Embassy as well as the Culture Bureau. Even though it took longer than intended, Jordan went out of his way to ensure my documents would be sent back to me by the time that was needed. He was patient as friendly and always kept me updated and always had the best interest for my documents. Couldn’t have asked anyone else to handle my degrees better than him! :)”
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