The legalization of documents

Please be aware that documents issued by an authority in Canada must first be legalized at Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, and only then at the Embassy of Latvia.

The following persons can submit documents for legalization at the Embassy:

Documents for a natural person:

1. the person to whom the document pertains – upon the presentation of ID;
2. the spouse or a relative of the abovementioned person – upon the presentation of relationship documents;
3. other person – upon the presentation of a power of attorney

Documents for a legal entity (company / firm): a representative of such company – upon the presentation of ID.

Requirements for the legalization of documents

In order to legalize documents, the following documents must be submitted to Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs:

Foreign Affairs Canada
Legal Advisory Division
Authentication and Service of Documents Section
125 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1A 0G2
Tel: (613) 995-0119

1. Document(s) to be legalized.

2. Letter addressed to Foreign Affairs Canada with your request to legalize the document(s), and then to forward the document(s) to the Embassy of Latvia.

3. Application:

For a natural person Word.doc format

For a legal entity (company / firm) Word.doc format

4. Documents proving the person's right to submit documents for legalization (for example, ID, documents proving relationship, a power of attorney). If you send by post – copies of these documents.

5. Self-addressed pre-paid envelope, so that your documents can be returned to you.

6. Payment to cover the Embassy's processing fee for legalization

• For a natural person – (the person to whom the documents pertain or the spouse or a relative of the aforementioned person - upon the presentation of  ID or documents of relationship):
  $10 CAD per document (if the request is for rush processing, the fee is $20 CAD per document to be legalized)
  
• For a representative of a natural person (upon the presentation of a power of attorney):
  $20 CAD per document (if the request is for rush processing, the fee is $40 CAD per document to be legalized)
  
• For a legal entity (company / firm):
  $20 CAD per document (if the request is for rush processing, the fee is $40 CAD per document to be legalized)

Payment Options:

Money orders, certified or corporate cheques made out to the Embassy of Latvia. The Embassy does not accept personal cheques, and cannot accommodate the use of credit or debit cards. Cash is only accepted when payment is made in person at the Embassy. DO NOT send cash by post to either Foreign Affairs Canada or the Embassy.

The standard time for the legalization process at the Embassy is 10 business days after the receipt of all necessary documentation. Rush requests will be handled in 2 business days.