If you’ve been told that in order to use a South-African document in another country, which country is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, it will need to be legalised by authentication process and not apostilled.
You might be wondering what to do next.
How Does it Work?
Getting an authentication may involve a notary, the High Court, Various Goverment Departments, DIRCO and possibly the particular embassy or consulate of the country where you’ll be using your document.
The purpose of the authentication process is to certify the authenticity of a document in a manner that will be officially recognised in a foreign country. There are the three main steps to the Canadian apostille (authentication and legalisation) process:
- Preparing Your Documents for Processing:
- Both DIRCO and each individual embassy and consulate set their own unique requirements for how documents must be prepared. Depending on your specific circumstances, this could involve notary services (notarisation, certified true copies), translation, and providing various supporting documents.
It is important to prepare your documents accurately the first time, as a mistake or omission will result in your documents being rejected, requiring you restart the process from the beginning. We can let you know what requirements apply in your particular situation, and we can also provide notarial and translation services to make this step easier for you.
- Getting Your Documents Authenticated:
- The second step in this process involves submitting your documents to The High Court, DIRCO or both. Their staff will check that all is in order, and if satisfied will place a large red stamp directly on your documents, confirming they have been authenticated.
- Legalisation by the Relevant Embassy:
- Lastly, sometimes your documents will be sent to the embassy or consulate of the country where they will be used. The consular staff will confirm that your documents meet all requirements, and if satisfied, will place a stamp, sticker or certificate directly on your documents, confirming that they have been legalised.
Your documents will now be recognised in this foreign country.
Contact us today for Canadian apostille services and more!
If you’re in need of an apostille on a Canadian document, or other authentication and legalization services call 0870010733 or submit an Online Quotation Form and we will get right back to you.