Authentication of Documents

We offer same day authentication services at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAIT) and the legalization of documents at all embassies in Ottawa. Please contact the embassy which relates to your matter to verify the necessary requirements by the embassy. We have many years of experience dealing with DFAIT and all the embassies in Ottawa and as such ensure prompt service with authenticating and legalizing your documents.

• Federal document authentication by DFAIT in Ottawa
• Embassy/consulate legalization according to the intended use of the documents

Documents commonly authenticated and legalized:

• Birth, Marriage and Divorce Certificates
• Statement In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad
• Educational documents: diplomas, degrees and transcripts for university, college, high school and elementary school
• Criminal clearance certificates, fingerprint/clearance certificates
• Adoption papers
• Power of Attorney
• Passports
• Legal documents
• Medical reports

This two-step process is the equivalent of an Apostille certificate used by many other countries. As a non-signatory of the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, Canadian documents for use abroad must be certified twice – once by the DFAIT and subsequently by the embassy or consulate of the receiving state. For signatories, the Convention provides for the simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in/between countries that have joined the convention by a designated Apostille official in the jurisdiction in which the document has been executed, as provided for by the 1961 Hague Convention. With this certification no further certification or legalization is required.