When a document is being sent from Canada for use abroad, first it has to be notarized, and then it has to be 'authenticated' and 'legalized'. This is a complex process that Brosgall Legal | Notary Services specializes in. We do everything for you, from start to finish.
You are probably reading this article because you've been advised by a foreign authority or lawyer that a document they need from you must be 'apostilled', or authenticated and legalized. The process of authentication and legalization is the Canadian equivalent of 'apostille certificates' which are used in countries that are signatories to 'The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents'. As Canada did not sign this convention, Canadian lawyers and notaries cannot provide apostille certificates. Instead, the authentication and legalization process is used. There are three steps: First, your document is notarized. Next, the notarized document is authenticated by the relevant government authorities in BC, or by the DFAIT in Ottawa. Finally, your document is legalized by the embassy or consulate of the country where you want to send your document.
This article will provide some basic definitions to help you understand this unusual area of international law. If you have any questions, or want to book a notary appointment, please send us an email or call us at 604-685-ADAM [2326]. You may also visit our home page for further information.
NOTARIZATION
Notarization is the first step. It is the certification by a notary public or lawyer that a document was signed by you, and that your identity was verified. Notarizations are intended to prevent fraud. In fact, for multi-page documents, we emboss our seal on every page. This is required by most foreign authorities to ensure that pages do not get lost, replaced, or added. A notary does not verify that the information or statements contained in a document are true or accurate. It is the person signing who is responsible for the content of the documents. The notary only certifies the identity of the signer, and the fact that it was that person who signed the document. A notarial certificate is used to describe what is being notarized. The word 'notarization' is sometimes used to describe the process of certifying a true copy of an original document, as in a 'notarized copy'.
AUTHENTICATION
Authentication is the second step. It is the process that confirms that the person who provided the notarization services is in fact a registered BC Notary or BC Lawyer, in good standing. The provincial and/or federal government confirms that the notary or lawyer is in good standing, and verifies their notarial seal and signature. This step can only be done if the notary or lawyer has their signature and seal on file. Brosgall Legal is on file at every provincial and federal authority. Once standing, seal and signature are verified, the authority then places a certificate/stamp over the notarized or certified document.
LEGALIZATION
Legalization is the final step in the process. It is the process that verifies the authenticity and standing of of the provincial or federal authority. The local consulate or embassy confirms that each notarization and authentication step was completed properly. If everything is in order, the consulate or embassy applies their seal or stamp onto the document. Consular offices are quick to point out that authentications and legalizations do not guarantee the authenticity of the contents of a document. They only verify the seals and signatures of the Canadian authorities. Upon the legalization being completed, your document acquires legal validity in the intended country of use.
TRANSLATION
Translation is often required as part of the legalization process. Certain consulates require that your document be translated into both English and their language. Brosgall Legal works closely with a certified translation service in our building so that any translation requirements can be easily managed by our office.
JURISDICTION
Jurisdiction, in the legalization sense, is the foreign country that you will be sending your document to. Whether we are dealing with a power of attorney, academic record, ID, marriage certificate, etc... every country, or jurisdiction, has their own specific requirements. Processing time depends on the particular requirement of each consulate and jurisdiction.
Brosgall Legal specializes in this work, and we will help you to accurately prepare and process your documents so that the authentication and legalization of your documents goes smoothly. Our pre-registration and experience with foreign consulates lets us expedite the processing of your documents, and avoids stress, costly errors and delays.
TYPES OF DOCUMENTS WE AUTHENTICATE AND LEGALIZE
Brosgall Legal has authenticated and legalized the following types of documents for use in countries around that world:
- Birth Certificates
- Business Correspondence
- Certified copies
- Citiizenship documentation
- Death Certificates
- Degrees
- Diplomas
- Driver's Licence
- Health Cards
- Licences
- Marriage Certificates
- Marriage Declarations
- Passports
- Powers of Attorney
- Property and Conveyance Documents
- Statutory Declarations
- Transcripts
VANCOUVER NOTARY PUBLIC, COMMISSIONER OF OATHS, AND LAWYER
Brosgall Legal's owner and principal, Adam Brosgall, is an experienced Vancouver Notary Public, BC Commissioner of Oaths, and Lawyer. He is fully qualified, licenced, and insured to do international notarizations, authentications, and legalizations (Apostilles). If you have any questions, please feel free to send us an email, or call 604-685-ADAM [2326] to book an appointment. Same day service and walk-ins are welcome. Please see our Vancouver Notary home page for our other services, and we look forward to seeing you.