Simplified Certification for Canada
Canadian authorities do not require full consular legalization for most UK documents. Instead, Canada accepts a single-step certification known as an apostille. This makes document legalization for Canada significantly simpler than in other countries. The Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes processes these requests for the entire UK, including Reading. There is no need to involve any Canadian embassy or consulate for this step, saving both time and complexity in preparing your papers. The streamlined route applies to common documents like birth certificates and marriage records that need to be official in Canada.
Documents from Reading for Use in Canada
When you need a UK document certified for Canada, you have two types to consider. Original civil records like birth certificates can be replaced by ordering a fresh certified copy from Reading Register Office on Bridge Street. This means you never risk losing your original in transit. The Legalisation Office requires a paper document with an original signature. Documents that do not come from a registrar might need additional steps at the source, such as certification from the issuing body, before they can be legalized.
The Standard Route to Certify Documents for Canada
The Legalisation Office handles all requests to consular legalization for Canada using the standardized apostille process. After obtaining your document or a certified copy, you send it by post to the Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes. The office checks it and attaches a special certificate — the apostille — which confirms the document's status. Since Canada is party to the Hague agreement accepting apostilles, Canadian officials will recognize this stamp. Your paper is now ready for use in Canada.
Service Levels and Important Details
The Legalisation Office offers two main processing speeds for certificates. Your request usually takes between seven and ten business days to complete. For urgent cases, they provide an express service that returns your certified documents in two or three business days. This timeline covers only the work by the Legalization Office and does not include mailing time. If you seek to legalize documents for Canada with extra speed, the express tariff fits into even the tightest schedules for personal use.