If you are going abroad for work, travel or educational purposes, you might need to get some documents legalized first. Without legalizing these documents, the consulates, embassies and other officials might not recognize them. 

For example, if you are a Canadain resident, and you plan on moving to Qatar for business, you will need documents from the organization you are working for to be legalized so you can get approval for a working or a business visa. If these documents haven’t been legalized, then you won’t be able to work in the country, nor live there. If you want to sponsor family members to join you in Qatar, you must make sure that all of their documents are legalized too. To help you get the ball rolling, we have created these five straightforward tips to help you out. 

• Make Sure that each Document has a Certified Translation

If the national language in the country where you are submitting official documents is not the same language as the documents, it is vital that you get a certified translation to accompany these documents. For example, if you want to immigrate to the Republic of Ireland, and your documents are written in Japanese, they must be translated to either English or Gaelic. If you submit the paperwork in Japanese, the embassy or consulate will ask you to get a certified translation. 

However, you can’t translate the documents yourself, nor ask a family member to do them for you. They must be translated by an official translator that can seal and sign the documents. They must be recognized in their country as an official translator too. 

• Ask an Agency to Help

There are private agencies in most countries that can help you with international document legalization. Although you will have to pay them a fee for their services, they can help and advise you through the entire process, to make sure you don’t make any mistakes.

Legalizing international documents might sound simple, but a lot of things can go wrong, especially if it is your first attempt at legalizing these important documents. Reputable agencies with plenty of experience will have gone through the process several times in the past, and they will be up to date with any recent changes to the process. Taking on the process yourself can consume a lot of time and cause plenty of stress, so it might be worth it while employing a professional to guide you through each step, like document authentication Canada. 

• Understand what types of Documents you might need to get Legalized

If you are moving abroad, it is very important that you get your documents legalized before you start the journey to your destination. Here are few examples of the documents you might need legalized before you move to a new country:

• Single status affidavit: If you are getting married abroad, you might need this document legalized first
• Death Certificate
• Copy of valid passport
• Educational diplomas, degrees, or certificates
• Travel consent letter
• Cert of Good Standing
• Commercial invoice
• Certificate of origin
• Copy of a valid driving license

If you want to get these documents legalized while you are abroad, it might prove even more challenging. 

• Don’t Get Untrained People to Help you with the Process

You might know someone who has gone through a similar process in the past, or someone who claims they know what they are doing, but if they haven’t been trained in the process before, then they could make things even more complicated, plus, they won’t have the authorization to certify any of these documents. Keep in mind that certifying documents is not an easy process, especially for those who are not qualified to do so. Each country has its own unique requirements, which is why most people pay an agent to help them out. 

Submitting these documents can cost money, and if they are not recognized, you might find yourself spending a lot of time re-submitting the files. To save money and time, avoid getting untrained people to help you with the process. 

• Get Quotes from Different Agencies

Not all agencies charge the same fee, and if you are moving abroad, you might find yourself working off a tight budget. Before hiring an agent, consider asking them for a quotation first. Most agents have an official website, so you should have no issues finding their direct contact details. Some even have an online form that you can fill out on the web to see how much they charge. Others will ask you to call them directly or send them an email for further details. 

Consider hiring an agent that has been working in the industry for a long time. Experienced agents will give your documents a thorough examination before the legalization process begins. They will know exactly what the officials will be looking for, so they can put your mind at ease.