Document Legalization

Document Legalization at Embassies

Document Authentication & Legalization

Having your document legalized at the appropriate Embassy is the next step in ensuring that it is recognized as legitimate. After the authentication of your document by Global Affairs your document must be provided for legalization at the respective country’s Embassy. Over the years, GMJ has dealt extensively with the majority of the Embassies in Ottawa, which helps ensure a smooth process of getting your documents legalized in a timely manner. Some of the Embassies will legalize your documents while we wait; most of the Embassies will complete the legalization in 1 to 3 business days, however, there are a few Embassies that can take up to one week or longer to complete the Legalization process. The length of time for legalizing your documents at the Embassy is the only step of the process that is out of our control. The fact that we have very good relationships with the Consular staff in the Embassies helps so much with getting your documents legalized as quickly as possible.

Diplomas, Degrees & Transcripts (High School, College, University)

If you’re planning on continuing your education or seeking employment overseas, you may be required to have your diploma/degree and/or transcripts authenticated and legalized. After your documents have been authenticated at Global Affairs your destination country may require your documents to be legalized at the respective Embassy. At GMJ we’ve worked closely with many Embassies in Ottawa over the years and have developed strong relationships with them. This enables us to ensure that your documents will be legalized as quickly as possible. Global Affairs will authenticate original degrees and transcripts from recognized Canadian Universities and Colleges but High School diplomas and transcripts must be notarized.

Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates

Whether you are moving abroad, getting married in a different country or possibly taking care of an estate of a loved one that has passed, you will need to have your documents authenticated at Global Affairs and then legalized at the respective Embassy. The first thing you will need to do is order a “long form” certificate from Vital Statistics. Global Affairs will only stamp original certificates from Vital Statistics. They no longer accept notarized copies. If you are in a hurry you can even have Vital Statistics mail or courier us the document to save time.

Our address:
GMJ Professional Services
489 Deancourt Crescent
Orleans, Ontario K4A 3G3

Commercial Documents

If you are conducting business overseas some countries require Certificates of Origin, Commercial Invoices or Packing Lists, etc … to be authenticated by Global Affairs and then legalized at their respective Embassy. Most Embassies require that your commercial documents be stamped by the Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade first. Once that has been done then they need to be notarized by a lawyer/notary.

Notarization

Unfortunately, some documents need to be notarized. This can be done by any Canadian Notary or Lawyer. You can have this done before you mail it to us or we can have it done for you. The lawyer we use charges $35 for the first document and $10 for each additional document.

Some Embassies that we deal with in Ottawa