The consular legalization of Canadian documents for use in Vietnam or other countries can be quite complex. To help you save time and effort, No.1 Translation provides detailed information on the procedures and our full-service consular legalization and authentication services for Canada.
What Are Consular Legalization and Consular Certification for Canada?
Consular legalization services and consular certification for Canada are two important stages in the process of verifying the legal validity of documents issued in Vietnam for use in Canada, or vice versa.
Consular Certification for Canada
Consular certification is the first step in the legalization of Canadian documents, aimed at verifying the validity of the signature, seal, and title on the original documents. This process is carried out by a competent diplomatic authority, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Embassy/Consulate of the country that issued the documents, and applies only to documents that have been properly notarized or approved by a competent authority.
For example, documents issued in Vietnam must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, while documents issued in Canada must be certified by Global Affairs Canada.
Consular Legalization for Canada
After the documents have been consularly certified in the issuing country, consular legalization confirms the validity of that certification itself—specifically the seal, signature, and title of the official who performed the certification.
This step is carried out by the Embassy or Consulate of the country where the documents will be used. For example, documents issued in Vietnam must be legalized at the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam, and vice versa.
Why Are Consular Legalization and Consular Certification for Canada Necessary?
Consular legalization and consular certification for Canada (or other countries) are necessary for the following reasons:
- Verification of authenticity: Documents that have been legalized and consularly certified prove that they were issued by a competent authority and are not forged. This is essential for authorities in the receiving country (in this case, Canada or Vietnam) to trust the authenticity of the documents.
- Compliance with legal regulations: Many countries require foreign documents to undergo consular legalization and certification. This is a necessary legal procedure to ensure the validity of documents within the legal system of the host country. Without this step, documents may be rejected or not considered.
- Risk avoidance: Consular legalization and certification help avoid risks such as document rejection, which can lead to wasted time and money.
- Enhanced credibility: Documents that have been legalized and consularly certified demonstrate the seriousness and credibility of the applicant to the authorities. This can positively influence the handling of administrative procedures.
Procedures for Consular Legalization of Vietnamese Documents for Use in Canada
To use documents issued in Vietnam in Canada, you may apply one of the following two methods:
Method 1: Carry Out the Consular Legalization Procedure for Canada in Vietnam
Step 1: Notarized translation of documents into English
Step 2: Apply for consular certification at the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Submit the application to the Consular Department (Hanoi) (for documents issued in Northern Vietnam) or to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs (for documents issued in Southern Vietnam).
- Required Documents:
- Application form for consular legalization..
- Original identification document.
- Original documents and copies of the documents requested for consular certification.
- Processing time: 3–5 working days.
- Fee: 30,000 VND per document.
Step 3: Apply for consular legalization for Canada at the Canadian Embassy/Consulate
- Submit the application at the Canadian Embassy in Hanoi or the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Required Documents:
- Documents requested for consular legalization.
- A copy of the applicant’s identification document.
- Submission hours:
- Canadian Embassy in Hanoi: 09:00–11:00 and 14:00–16:00 (Monday–Thursday).
- Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City: 08:30–10:30 and 13:30–15:30 (Monday–Thursday).
Method 2: Carry Out the Consular Legalization Procedure for Documents in Canada
Step 1: Notarized translation of documents into English
Step 2: Apply for consular certification at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in Canada
- Address:
- Embassy of Vietnam in Ottawa: 55 MacKay Street, Ottawa, ON, K1M 2B2
- Consulate of Vietnam in Vancouver: 800–605 Robson Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5J3
- Submit the application and apply for consular certification at the Vietnamese representative office.
Step 3: Apply for consular legalization certification at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada
- Submit the application to the Consular Section – Global Affairs Canada.
- Processing time: Approximately 25 working days.
- Fee: Free of charge.
Consular Legalization of Canadian Documents for Use in Vietnam
First, you should check with the authority that will use the documents in Vietnam to determine whether consular legalization is required. This helps avoid wasting time and effort if legalization is not necessary.
Documents requiring consular legalization must be originals bearing seals and signatures registered with Global Affairs Canada. The procedure is as follows:
Step 1: Document Translation
If your documents are not in English or French, you need to have them notarized and translated into one of these two languages. However, if the documents are issued in Greek or Latin, translation is not required.
Step 2: Signature Notarization
For documents issued by private individuals or authorization documents (e.g., transfer of property ownership or real estate usage rights), you need to have the signature notarized by a notary public or lawyer in Canada. Public documents issued by Canada do not require this certification.
Documents to prepare:
- Original documents.
- Notarized copy of identification documents (valid Citizen ID card or passport).
Step 3: Consular Certification at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada
After notarization, you need to apply for consular certification/legalization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada or the competent authority of the province or territory where the documents were issued.
The documents required include:
- Consular certification application form.
- Original documents or notarized copies.
- A stamped return envelope or prepaid shipping label.
Certification fee charged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada: free of charge.
Step 4: Consular Legalization at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General
After consular certification at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada, you need to apply for consular legalization at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General in Canada.
Documents to be prepared include::
- Original documents that have been consularly certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada.
- Copy of identification documents (passport or substitute documents).
- If submitting by mail, an additional fee payment slip via credit card or bank transfer is required.
Submission addresses::
- Embassy of Vietnam in Ottawa: 55 MacKay Street, Ottawa, ON, K1M 2B2, Canada
- Consulate General of Vietnam in Vancouver: 800–605 Robson Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5J3, Canada
Processing time: 5–7 working days.
Latest Fee Schedule for Consular Legalization in Canada
The price list for our full-service consular legalization at No.1 Translation, updated to the latest rates.
| Content: | Price: |
| Certified Copy Fee: | 10,000 VND / 1 page |
| Translation fees from Vietnamese into foreign languages | From 49,000 VND / per original document page / 300 words |
| Notarization Fee for the Translation: | 50,000 VND / document |
| Consular Certification Fee (with Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stamp): | 300,000 VND / stamp (Discounted to 250,000 VND / stamp for two or more documents) |
| Consular Legalization Fees at Embassies or Consulates | From 2,500,000 VND to 4,500,000 VND depending on the type of document |
Full-Service Consular Legalization for Canada at No.1 Translation
Consular certification and consular legalization for Canada are complex administrative procedures. They require a thorough understanding of legal regulations and proper procedures to avoid wasting time and effort. In addition, your documents may be delayed or deemed invalid if the process is not carried out correctly.
To minimize these risks, No.1 Translation is proud to provide reliable consular certification and legalization services, helping you legalize documents issued in Vietnam for use in Canada, or vice versa, as quickly as possible.
We are committed to:
- Carrying out all procedures on behalf of clients.
- Providing prompt updates on progress and procedures from competent authorities.
- Optimizing costs and processing time.
- Ensure legality and timely completion according to client requirements.
- Committing to strict confidentiality of client information.
To receive a quotation and timely consultation from the expert team at No.1 Translation, please contact us via our hotline: 0934.888.768.
With a team of highly experienced experts and a well-structured working process, No.1 Translation is committed to helping you complete your consular legalization for Canada quickly, in compliance with regulations, and with absolute information confidentiality. If you need consultation or support regarding consular legalization services in Canada, do not hesitate to contact us now to receive timely and professional assistance.
