What is Authentication and Legalization?

When documents are notarized in Canada for use abroad, such documents must go through a process of "authentication" and "legalization" in order for them to be valid in the foreign jurisdiction. The combined process of "authentication" and "legalization" is the Canadian equivalent of "apostille certificates" In most circumstances (depending on the country and document in question), Red Seal Notary can provide you with our authentication and legalization services, whereby, we will authenticate and/or legalize your notarized documents.

"Authentication" is intended to remove the burden on foreign courts and foreign authorities in proving the genuineness of documents originating outside of their countries. Authentication verifies the registration of a notary public as well as the notary's seal and signature. When a request is made, the provincial authentication authority checks its records to confirm the notary's registration and compares the notarial seal and signature on the document being submitted against records it holds of the notary's seal and signature. When the notary's authority, signature and seal are confirmed, the document to be authenticated will then receive a stampand/or an additional seal together with a statement from the provincial authentication authority to the effect that the notary is "known to be in good standing". Once this happens, nothing may be added to or removed from the document.

After authentication, "legalization" occurs when the document is presented to the consulate of the relevant foreign country for certification. At that point, the document normally acquires legal validity in the intended country of use.

If you have any further questions please feel free to call us at 1 888 922 7325 or visit our website at www.redsealnotary.com