Name Change Certificate Services in Canada

Legalization is required when documents have to be used and recognized abroad (that is, outside Canada, or at a foreign embassy in Canada). The most likely times you will need to have your change of name certificate legalized are:

• For the purpose of getting married abroad.
• When migrating to another country.
• To apply for a visa to enter another country.

No there is no official expiry date on the authentication. However, the (overseas) authority you have to show your change of name certificate to may want it to be legalized within a certain timeframe, which is something you can check with them.

• Global Affairs Canada authenticates only Canadian signatures and bears no responsibility for the contents of the authenticated documents.
• Copies of the original documents must be certified true copies, that are signed and sealed by a Canadian notary.
• Documents issued in a foreign language must be translated by a certified Canadian translator into English or French and notarized by a Canadian notary before they can be processed.

1. We receive a request for a quote from you.
2. We conduct an assessment of the requirements for your specific case during which we may contact you to receive more information about your documents.
3. We send you a quote listing the terms and service details.
4. Upon receipt of the payment from you we:
   – verify your documents comply with all the regulations.
   – may provide support services such as notary, certified translation, etc.
5. Next, we personally deliver your documents to the Global Affairs Canada for authentication.
6. Finally, we forward the authenticated documents back to you per the specified mail service or have them further processed at the embassy or consulate depending on your requirements.

Here at DAC, our document authentication and legalization services start at C$90 per document. Bulk order discounts and faster processing prices are also available.

However, all our listed prices are to be used for reference purposes only. To receive a fully accurate quote specific to your individual case, get in touch on 1-855-700-5840 or use our web form.

• Obtain a certified translation of your documents.
• Have your documents notarized.
• Have your documents package fully compliant with the requirements of Global Affairs Canada and your embassy for proper document legalization.

If any of the documents do not meet the proper form, miss supporting documents, or otherwise fail to meet the requirements, your documents may be declined authentication and/or legalization. In this case, the processing time will take longer subject to you having to resupply the documents in full compliance.

Document Authentication Canada thoroughly checks the requirements for each specific case to make sure you don’t pay double. We also deliver your documents to both Global Affairs Canada and your Embassy in Ottawa in person which greatly speeds up the process. See our service packages for further details.

• Unknown seals or signatures which cannot be verified.
• Religious documents (for example baptismal certificates, religious marriage certificates, or documents issued by a religious institution).
• Documents that are glued, laminated, or covered with any substance that would make it difficult to place a stamp on the document.