Authentication requires the original document. In rare cases, it is not the original that is authenticated, but an official (notarized) copy, for example, for documents such as passports, driver's licenses, identity cards, etc.
You can get a document authenticated:1) By the
Canadian Foreign Affairs Office (Global Affairs), which is located in Ottawa. Global Affairs of Canada authenticate documents issued in any province. Such authentication is suitable for the consulate of any country.
2) In provincial or territorial ministries. For example, in Ontario, such a ministry is called ODS (Ontario Document Services) and is located in Toronto. Provincial authentication is not accepted by some consulates of some countries, but
not all. For example, Russia does NOT accept it. Also, a provincial ministry can only authenticate documents issued in that province and not in any other. That is, if your document was issued in Quebec, you will not be able to authenticate it with the ODS (Ministry of Ontario).
A complete list of all provincial ministries can be found
here.
Notarization of a document for authenticationAll documents can be divided into three types. Those that need to be notarized before authentication, and those that do not. There are also documents that are drawn up with the help of a notary — that is a different procedure that requires an in-person visit of the applicant to the notary.
Here are the main documents divided into these three types:
1)
No need to notarize: certificates issued by the registry office, for example, certificates of birth, marriage, divorce, death, name change, etc.
2)
Necessary to notarize: certificates of cremation and burial, certificates of good conduct, diplomas, bank and court documents, etc.
3)
Necessary to sign at a notary: powers of attorney, statements of renunciation of inheritance, applications for the appointment of pension payments, any other statements
Who are these Canadian state employees who sign these documents, whose signatures and seals actually get authenticated?
1)
Registrar General or Deputy Registrar General: Certificates issued by the Civil Registry Offices, such as birth, marriage, divorce, death, name change, etc.
2)
Public Notary: Cremation and burial certificates, police clearance certificates, diplomas, banking and court documents, etc.
3)
Public Notary: Powers of attorney, declarations of renunciation of inheritance, declarations of assignment of pension payments, any other declarations
4)
Judge or Clerk of the Court: Court decisions
5)
Officer of the Department of Corporation Registration (Registraire des entreprises in Quebec): Corporation registration certificates