Attestation is a process of authentication and legalization of documents. Through this process, a document get authenticated and legalized by the state government or central government and then it becomes valid.
What is Attestation? And why is it required?
Attestation is a legal procedure in which the signatures, seals, and stamps of the certifying authority. That must get placed on a document to certify its authenticity. It can get done by an authorized officer of the government or through third parties like banks, lawyers, and accounting firms. The purpose of document attestation in Canada is to validate documents such as educational certificates and degree certificates.
Why is attestation done?
Attestation works to verify the authenticity of a document. It is a process by which an authorized person verifies that the document is genuine, and not tampered with. There can be several reasons why you need to get your documents attested in Canada. You are applying for a visa or passport and require an affidavit or other legal documents to support your application.
Process of attesting documents
Let’s look at the requirements and things to know about attestation of documents verified now that you understand why you must attest it. A document in Canada is typically attested in three steps. Setting up your paper for processing is the first step. The form of preparation necessary and its determined by two factors:
1) The kind of paper you need certified, and
2) the nation where the document must get presented. The document may need to go notarized, a certified true copy prepared, a certified translation completed, or additional supporting documents submitted in order to be ready for attestation.
The second stage in the Canadian attestation procedure is to have Global Affairs Canada authenticate your document. The Ottawa-based JLAC branch of Global Affairs is in charge of document authentication. Global Affairs will make sure the document satisfies all of their requirements before stamping it straight in bold red. The document gets verified and is now prepared for legalization.
The legalization of your document at the embassy or consulate of the nation. In which you will be utilizing it is the third and last stage in the Canadian attestation procedure.
The consular officials will confirm that the document satisfies their particular standards and that Global Affairs Canada has authenticated it. If satisfied, they will stamp the document or apply a (sometimes sizable) sticker.
What are the documents to attest?
You can get your documents attested by an authorized person or foreign service provider. The list of these documents includes:
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
- Academic degrees
- Passport copy and current visa/permit if you live abroad.
Do all attested documents have to be original?
Attestation works on photocopies, scanned copies, and faxed copies of your documents. The original documents are not required when you submit them for attestation. The following are the requirements:
- A self-declaration or affidavit of the principal signatory stating that they are aware of the contents of their submitted document and that it is true.
- Their signature on a copy of your submitted document (or its digital equivalent).
May the attestation be made on a non-judicial paper?
An attestation is a declaration made by an authorized person, who has personally verified the document’s content. The attestation may be on any kind of paper, but it is best if it’s not a non-judicial one. This means that neither your passport nor driver’s license can be used to get your documents attested unless they are court papers or other official documents from government offices.
Generally speaking, the following types of documents need to get notarized:
- Passports (for international use) and other travel documents;
- Marriage certificates;
- Birth certificates and adoption papers;
- Certificates of citizenship or naturalization;
- Diplomas for educational institutions;
The certificate should include all relevant details about the applicant’s identity as well as information about how he/she obtained his/her education credentials, such as proof that he/she attended classes at an accredited university or college for four years before graduating with his/her degree.*
What is apostille of documents/convention?
The Apostille Convention is a 1961 treaty that allows for the simplification of international legal documents, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates. The convention got adopted in 1961 and came into force in 1968.
The purpose of the apostille certificate is to certify that the signature on your document was somehow made by a person who got authorized to do so by their government. For example: if you want to obtain an apostille from Australia for your English birth certificate you can use it in Thailand or Vietnam. This must get signed by someone who has authority under the laws of England to sign documents relating to births (such as a registrar).
Does Canada Have Apostille Certification?
No. Only nations that have signed and ratified the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 are authorized to grant apostille certificates. Since Canada did not ratify this Convention, Canadian public documents cannot go certified by the Apostille.