General International Documents
Legalisation Verifies a Signature and Seal
DIRCO describes legalisation as the process of verifying the signature and seal on an official public document.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does document legalisation actually verify?
It verifies the relevant official signature and seal on the document.
Does legalisation check the document's factual content?
No. It is an authentication process.
Why is this needed for overseas use?
It helps the receiving country recognise the official origin of the document.
Source: DIRCO – Legalisation Services