Victoria Apostille Service
Welcome to the Victoria Global Document Solutions Service Center, located at Suite 301 – 1321 Blanshard Street, where Canadian documents are prepared for international use. For 30 years, we have assisted clients from around the world by providing them with an international document expert. Our highly skilled specialists can help you with any type of Canadian document, whether it requires an Apostille, Authentication, Legalization, or Attestation.
We regularly process a wide range of documents for clients in the Greater Victoria Region, including BC Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates, Police Checks, University of Victoria Degrees, Personal or Corporate Power of Attorney, and Incorporation documents, among others.
If you are located in Victoria, Saanich, Langford, Colwood, Sidney, or any other area within the Greater Victoria Region, our Victoria Service Center is easily accessible for you to drop off your documents. We also provide overnight delivery to our Ottawa National Headquarters, eliminating expensive courier charges.
How to Get an Apostille in Victoria
Canada's recent accession to the Hague Apostille Convention marks a significant milestone for individuals and businesses in Victoria and across the nation. This development simplifies the process of document legalization for international use. Before this, Canadians had to go through a tedious process involving multiple steps and various government departments to have their documents recognized internationally. The traditional method, known as "chain authentication," required validation from the Canadian Ministry of Global Affairs, followed by the respective embassy or consulate of the destination country.
However, with Canada joining the Hague Apostille Convention, this process is streamlined. Now, a single apostille certification is sufficient to authenticate documents for use in any of the other member countries of the Convention. This change is particularly beneficial for residents and businesses in Victoria, offering them a more efficient and less time-consuming way to get their documents, like birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational documents, and corporate records, recognized internationally.
Fingerprinting for RCMP Criminal Record Checks – Victoria & International Use
If you're located in the Greater Victoria area (including Saanich, Oak Bay, Langford and the surrounding communities) and require a certified criminal-record check via the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for international purposes, our Victoria service centre at Global Document Solutions is pleased to partner with accredited fingerprint-capture provider Pacific Fingerprint Services Inc. for seamless service. Pacific Fingerprint’s processes include ink-print capture, digitization, and electronic submission to RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) — which is required for globally-accepted certificate issuance.
By aligning GDS’s international-document-legalization expertise with Pacific Fingerprint’s local capture and RCMP-submission services, you get a streamlined «fingerprint → RCMP submission → apostille/legalization» workflow. Whether you’re applying for a foreign visa, overseas employment, immigration clearance or any situation where your Canadian criminal record must be internationally recognised, we coordinate the full process—from your fingerprints in Victoria to your certification and legalization for worldwide use.
Navigating The British Columbia Apostille Process With Help From The Experts
The apostille process under the Convention is straightforward: the document is first verified by the relevant provincial authority, and then an apostille certificate is attached to it. This certificate confirms the authenticity of the document and the authority of the person who signed or sealed it. This streamlined process enhances convenience and saves time for those needing to use Canadian documents abroad, fostering smoother international transactions and exchanges.
For Victoria's residents and the business community, this change facilitates a range of activities, from pursuing educational and professional opportunities overseas to conducting international business transactions more efficiently. Canada's participation in the Hague Apostille Convention represents a significant step towards global integration, making international affairs more accessible for Canadians.
Victoria Authentication and Legalization Services for Non-Apostille Countries
For countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention, the authentication and legalization of Canadian documents is a necessary step to ensure their international validity. Although 'Apostille' is a term used in certain countries, it is synonymous with authentication and legalization, both aiming to certify documents for use abroad. Our dedicated team is on hand to guide you through each stage of this process, making sure your documents meet the stringent requirements for authentication and legalization.
B.C. or Global Affairs Canada Authentication and Embassy Legalization
The most commonly authenticated documents for our clients are done at the B.C. Authentication Office but some are authenticated by Global Affairs Canada before legalization at the consulate. The correct process depends on the type of document and the country it will be used in. To save any issues speak with our experts about the correct authentication service for you.
How Does Using Global Document Solutions Services Benefit You?
With more than 30 years of experience, Global Document Solutions is the premier provider of fast and efficient Apostille, Authentication, and Legalization services in Victoria. Our streamlined process ensures simplicity and ease, supported by comprehensive guidance at each step. Additionally, we offer complimentary overnight FedEx shipping. Whether your documents are from British Columbia , other parts of Canada, or abroad, our expert team is ready to simplify the process for you. Talk to us to see how we can make things easy and straightforward.
