If you are immigrating to Canada or have other immigration-related needs, you’ll likely need your documents authenticated by a notary public to be valid.
At first glance, this process can seem daunting for somebody unfamiliar with such a legal process and will undoubtedly raise many questions regarding the details of each step.
Rest assured that we have your best interests at heart and have put together this resource to help unaccustomed individuals better understand the notary process. We’ll be covering the most important details of the document notarization procedure and explaining where to find a notary public service near me.
What is Document Notarization?
In brief, document notarization is when documents are signed in the presence of a notary public. The job of the notary public is to verify the identity of the signatories and witness the signing itself – the purpose of this process is to authenticate the validity of the document. 
The notary public stamps the document once they identify the signatories and witness the signing of the document. The stamp symbolizes that the document has been authenticated by the notary and assures the relevant government authorities that it is valid and legitimate.
Why Do Documents Need to Be Notarized?
Documents need to be notarized because it indicates that the person who signs the document is who they say they are – it’s essentially a means of protecting against fraud, theft, and other trickery.
Because documents, such as fingerprint checks, birth certificates, and bank information, are incredibly sensitive sources of information, it’s important to verify the identity of the signatory for security purposes.
What Documents Require Notarization?
Any document can require notarization depending on the circumstances. Birth certificates, educational degrees, diplomas, transcripts, adoption papers, bank information, and more are all documents that will need to be notarized depending on the circumstances.
Particularly sensitive documents, such as criminal record checks and related documents, often require notarization and are encountered at an extremely high rate by notary public services. The reason why criminal record checks, related documents, and other security-related documents typically require notarization is that foreign and domestic government agencies want to ensure criminals or other ill-meaning individuals are not slipping through the system.
In sum, any document can require notarization depending on the circumstances. It’s more likely, however, that security-related and similar documents will require notarization (especially if the nature of the document is international).
What is the Notarization Process?
Let’s briefly go through this simple process from start to finish before we break down the process step by step. First, the notary public identifies the signatory. Then, the notary public witnesses the signing itself. Lastly, the document is stamped (or “sealed”) by the notary public.
Identity Verification
The notary public will require the signatory to identify themselves. This is usually done by presenting photo ID accompanied by a document with a signature already on it. These documents will be scanned for the record.
Witnessing the Signing
The notary public will witness your signature and confirm that you are signing the document with free agency and not acting on behalf of somebody else or by coercion. The notary public reserves the right to refuse their services if they doubt the authenticity of the signature.
Sealing the Document
Once the notary public is certain of the signatory’s identity, the authenticity of their signature, and their intentions, they seal the document. Once the sealing process is completed, the document is officially notarized and fit for use.
Benefits of Notarization
Notarization is more than a stamp on your document – it offers a variety of benefits that can make administrative processes easy and efficient.
Record checks, for instance, often require further inspection before they can be accepted by overseas institutions despite certification. Notarization offers two benefits in this situation.
First, notarization can fully satisfy the requirements of the additional inspection. Second, if notarization does not fully satisfy the requirements of the additional inspection it will at least serve as the first step toward fulfilling the requirements.
Simply, notarization is the best method of proving the legitimacy of your documents to any relevant government authority.
Another benefit of notarization is that it can be completed online. High-quality notary public services, such as Reliability Screening, are able to notarize your criminal record checks and related documents.
Trusted Notarization Service in Canada
Document notarization is a useful and sometimes necessary tool to ensure that the document, signatory, and intentions are authentic and sound. Governments around the world, including your own, typically require notarized documents to complete processes for immigration or visas.
Contact Reliability Screening today if you require a criminal record check or a related document notarized. We employ notaries to ensure that the notarization process is quick, efficient, and professional. Additionally, our services are available online to ensure your convenient access to our professional services.
