Embassy of Italy in Ottawa

The Embassy of Italy in Ottawa provides consular assistance to Italian citizens in Canada. The Embassy also serves Canadians and other foreigners who want to visit, work, do business, or reside in Italy.

This guide contains all you need to know about document legalization at the Italian Embassy, including processing times, fees, and how to submit your documents.

Italy Embassy Canada

Table of Contents

Italian Embassy in Ottawa

The Italian Embassy in Canada legalizes Canadian documents for Italian and Canadian nationals who’d like to use their documents in Italy.

The Embassy of Italy also provides other consular services, including visa and passport applications, civil status certificates, Italian social security number and citizenship applications, and consular assistance and protection to Italian citizens in Canada.

Contact details

Embassy of Italy in Ottawa

Consular Issues (Visas, passports, legalization, etc.): [email protected]

Opening Hours

Embassy of Italy Ontario Opening Hours:

Payment methods

Fees must be paid in cash at the Embassy or through a money order.

Legalization

What is Italian legalization?

Civil and commercial documents issued by Canadian authorities must be legalized by the Italian Embassy or a Consulate of Italy before they can be accepted for use in Italy.

This process is sometimes called attestation, authentication, or apostille. While Italy can issue apostilles in its relations with other countries, it cannot with Canada. This is because Canada is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.

While these terms are often used interchangeably, the correct term for the Canadian-Italian process is authentication and legalization.

Authentication and legalization confirm the authenticity of the seal and signature on your Canadian and Italian documents. This ensures that both countries recognize the document.

Before your Canadian document can be accepted for use in Italy, you must first submit it for authentication at Global Affairs Canada and then for legalization at the Italian Embassy or one of its Consulates spread across Canada.

The Embassy and Consulates are each responsible for a specific geographical area:

Areas of Jurisdiction of the Embassy of Italy and its Consulate-Generals

Embassy/Consulate Jurisdiction Address
Embassy of Italy in Ottawa
Ottawa; Carleton, Dundas, Glengarry, Grenville, Prescott, Russell and Stormont, Ontario; Outaouais Region, Quebec.
275 Slater Street, 21st floor, Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1P5H9 [email protected]
Italian Consulate Toronto
Rest of Ontario, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories
136 Beverley Street, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5T 1Y5 [email protected]
Italian Consulate Montreal
Quebec (except Outaouais), Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nunavut
3489 Drummond Street Montreal, Quebec Canada H3G 1X6 [email protected]
Italian Consulate Vancouver
Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.

510 West Hastings Street Suite 1100
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V6B 1L8

[email protected]

It’s important to check each consulate’s jurisdiction before submitting your documents.

The Legalization process at the Italian Embassy

These are the steps to follow to legalize your Canadian documents for use in Italy

  1. The document must be notarized by a local notary public, lawyer, or Commissioner of Oaths of Canada
  2. Submit your document for authentication at Global Affairs Canada
  3. If your document is not multilingual or in the Italian language, it should be translated to Italian by a certified translator and stamped as “per traduzione conforme”. The translator’s signature will also be legalized by the consular official.
  4. Submit your documents to the Embassy or Consulate by booking an appointment. The translator’s signature will also be legalized by the consular official.

Embassy of Italy In Ottawa Legalization FAQ

According to the Consulate-General of Toronto’s website, the fees for legalization are CAD $36 for each legalization and CAD$17 for each Civil Status legalization.

Since fees change from time to time, It’s best to ask the Embassy for concrete pricing at the time of booking the appointment.

Unfortunately, the Embassy does not provide this information.

That said, authentication and legalization, in general, can be a lengthy process. As of July 2021, authentication at Global Affairs Canada takes around 15 days, excluding mailing time and you also have to take into consideration time for notarization and, if needed, translation.

This may seem too long and complicated, and it can be, especially if you don’t submit the correct documentation. At DAC, we streamline the authentication process, saving you time and money. Get in touch with us on 1-855-700-5840 for a free document evaluation and quote.

The Embassy can legalize certifications, notarial deeds, private deeds, and judicial rulings.
The Italian Embassy can only legalize the signature of public officials or professionals certified to practice activities of a public nature and whose signature it already has on file.
Yes. Documents that are not by their very nature multilingual or in the Italian language, must be translated.

Italy does not automatically recognize foreign educational qualifications. You must first lodge a request for a ‘recognition of equal value and utility” of your Canadian educational qualifications, provided you studied in officially recognized teaching establishments. You can do this at the Study Office within the Embassy of Italy in Ontario.

Italian citizens who studied in Canada must first obtain a “Statement of Equal Value” from the Student Office and then apply to an official Italian Education Office.

Once your certificates are declared equivalent to Italian qualifications of corresponding value (for instance, lower secondary school diploma, upper secondary school diploma or university degree), you can use them in Italy.

To apply for a Statement of Equal Value and Equivalence of Academic Qualifications, you must submit:

  • Original or duly certified diploma or degree endorsed with the seal or embossing stamp of the school or university, and signed by the responsible official
  • An exact translation of the document in Italian.
Embassy of Italy in Canada

Looking for a Faster Apostille?

We offer fast, easy document authentication and legalization at a great price. Learn More

Other Consular Services offered by the Embassy of Italy in Canada

Apart from legalization services, the Embassy of Italy in Canada provides consular services for Italians residing in Canada and Canadians and other foreigners who are traveling or moving to Italy.

Below is a list of services offered by the Embassy:

  • Assistance with International Adoptions
  • Registration for Italians living abroad
  • Citizenship applications
  • Italian Social Insurance Number
  • Military Service
  • Passports
  • Pensions
  • Electoral Services
  • Civil Status Certificates
  • Assistance to Students
  • Civil Unions
  • Notary Services, including the power of attorney, wills, and certification

 

You can find detailed information about each of these services on the Embassy of Italy’s official website.

Italian Embassy FAQs

Yes, Italy has an Embassy in Ottawa, Canada. There is also three Italian Consulates-General spread across Canada.

You can find contact details and other information about each of these in the ‘Areas of Jurisdiction’ section of this guide.

Italian citizens interested in working in Canada, even as volunteers, must first obtain a work permit while still in Italy.

To apply for a work permit, you’ll need to include a letter from your Canadian employer proving the date of hire, type of employment, and your position.

There is also a program called International Experience Canada that young Italians can apply for. The program makes it possible for you to live and work in Canada for a year.

The Canadian government urges Canadian citizens and residents to avoid non-essential travel, including cruise ship travel, outside of Canada until further notice.

In normal times, the Canadian government recommends that travelers to Italy take normal security precautions.

Always check the latest Canada-Italy travel updates before booking a trip.

Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to Italy. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180 day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to all Schengen countries and not just Italy.

If you plan to stay within the Schengen area for a longer time, you will need to apply for a visa.

As an example, if you plan on staying in Italy for two months, and in Germany for another two, you will need a visa as both are Schengen countries and you would have exceeded the 90-day period.

You can apply for a visa at the Embassy of Italy in Ontario or at one of the Consulate-Generals.

Not all Italian authorities can issue an apostille. You can obtain an apostille for your judicial documents, civil status documents, and notarial acts from the public prosecutor at the courts in the jurisdiction where the documents were issued.

For all other administrative documents, you can obtain an apostille from the prefect with territorial competence in each region.

No, Canada does not issue or recognize apostilles because it is not a party to The Hague Apostille Convention.
Strictly speaking, you cannot get an apostille in Canada. You can obtain an equivalent instead, and this is called authentication and legalization. The legalization section of this guide contains more information on the process to follow for Canadian documents intended for use in Italy.

Yes, these are the contact details for the Canadian Embassy in Italy:
Embassy of Canada
Via Zara 30
00198 Rome
Italy

The Embassy is currently limiting in-person visits due to the pandemic. However, consular services still remain available to Canadian citizens – if you need help, contact the embassy before visiting.

The Italian Ambassador to Canada is Andrea Ferrari. He has been Italy’s Ambassador to Canada since May 2021.

Italy has 128 embassies spread across Europe, Asia and Oceania, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East.

Italy’s three Consulate Generals in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, provide consular services for Canadian citizens interested in traveling, doing business in, or moving to Italy.

They also assist and provide passport and other consular services to Italian citizens in Canada.

The Embassy of Italy does not provide passport fees on its website.

IN CONCLUSION

You should now have a better understanding of the legalization process at the Embassy of Italy in Ottawa, together with the other consular services offered at the Embassy and Consulates.

Notarizing and translating your documents, authenticating them, and then applying for legalization can be a complicated and lengthy process. There are multiple entities involved, as well as specific procedures to follow.

At Document Authentication Canada, we help facilitate the legalization of documents in Canada, including document authentication for Italy. We navigate through the bureaucracy on your behalf so that you avoid unnecessary delays. Get in touch with our expert team on 1-855-700-5840 to request a quote and a free document evaluation.

Embassy of Italy in Canada

About The Author

Lori, Director of Operations

Lori Shepherd is a licensed Paralegal, Notary and Mediator in the City of Ottawa and holds a B.A. from Carleton University. A native to the City, she has lived and worked across Canada and overseas. Lori is client focused and dedicated to clear and concise communication to ensure clients feel secure in using our services.