What is Authentication?
Authentication is the first step in verifying a document's legitimacy for countries that are NOT part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Since these countries don't accept Apostilles, the document must be authenticated before legalization.
🔒 AUTHENTICATION & LEGALIZATION PROCESS (for Non-Hague Convention countries)
✅ Step 1: Notarization (Online or In-Person)
- ✔️The document must first be notarized by a Notary Public in Ontario.
- ✔️The notary confirms the identity of the signer and witnesses the signature (or certifies a true copy, if applicable).
- ✔️For online notarization (RON), the notary must comply with Ontario’s legal requirements under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, and Bill 190 which permits RON under regulated conditions.
✅ Step 2: Authentication
- ✔️After notarization, the document is submitted to the authorized government agency for certifying documents.
- ✔️The authorized government agency verifies: The Notary Public’s appointment, The signature and official seal, and that the notary is authorized in Ontario.
- ✔️Once confirmed, the authorized government agency attaches an authentication certificate to the document.
- 🔹Authentication confirms the legitimacy of the notary, not the content of the document.
✅ Step 3: Legalization (by Embassy or Consulate)
- ✔️The authenticated document must then be submitted to the embassy or consulate of the destination country in Canada.
- ✔️The consulate verifies the authentication and attaches their own stamp or seal (legalization).
- ✔️This final step makes the document legally valid in the foreign country.
🛑 Important Notes
- Notaries cannot authenticate their own documents — only the authorized government agency for certifying documents can.
- If documents are in a foreign language, you may also need:
- A certified translation, OR
- A translated affidavit notarized by a bilingual notary public (English/French + target language).
- Authentication and legalization must be completed after notarization, and only once.
- Each embassy has its own legalization fees and timelines.
How the Authentication Process Works
1.
Submit documents to NotaryZen for notarization.
2.
Have your document notarized by NotaryZen
NotaryZen will submit your documents for authentication / legalization to the appropriate authorities
3.
NotaryZen will manage the authentication/legalization process to ensure your document are processed in a timely manner
The Authorized government agency certifies and attach it to the authentication certification to the document, making it valid in Hague Convention countries without needing further legalization.
4.
The document is stamped and signed by the government to confirm the notary's authority
Your documents will be returned to you Notarized, Authenticated and legalized for international use.
When Do You Need Authentication?
If the document is going to a non-Hague Convention country, you need both authentication and legalization.
Authentication Services (For Non-Hague Convention Countries)
| Service | Standard & Premium Services |
|---|---|
| Standard Notarization (In-Person) | $49.99 -$75 (Notarization only) |
| Remote Online Notarization (RON) | $39.99 |
| Certified True Copy | $50 for 1st document $30 each additional document |
| Additional Notarized Signatures | $75 1st notary $49.99 each additional notarization |
| Authentication Package | $199.99 |
| Mobile Service | $60 – $150+ |