Attestations
You need to provide a specific attestation issued by a Swiss representation, e.g. a certificate of nationality and registration.
In accordance with the Ordinance on Swiss Persons and Institutions Abroad, the Swiss representations abroad are authorised to provide attestations on the basis of established facts.
In this context Swiss representations are expected to check every request and to verify, among other things, if a local authority or institution is competent for drawing up a document and if Swiss interests are involved.
The Swiss representation concerned reserves the right to request additional information, and to refuse to draw up an attestation, if the document risks violating the sovereignty of a foreign state or could damage Switzerland’s reputation.
Ordinance on Swiss Persons and Institutions Abroad (Ordinance on Swiss Abroad; RS 195.11)
The Consulate General of Switzerland legalizes signatures/seals of natural persons and official persons of the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided that the document is intended for Switzerland. This General Consulate does not assume responsibility as for the validity, authenticity or content of the legalized document.
Legalization
Documents required for the legalization of an individual’s signature:
- The actual document in question
- A valid passport
- Proof of the document’s necessity in Switzerland
- Payment (cash or by debitcard)
For legalization, the document in question must be signed before an employee of this General Consulate
Processing time: Two working days
Please note that document legalization requests without sufficient proof of necessity in Switzerland will be rejected.
Superlegalization
Documents required fort the legalization of a signature from the “Chambre des notaires du Québec” in Montreal, various Ministry of justice, Law societies or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada:
- The actual document to be legalized by the “Chambre des notaires du Québec” in Montreal or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada
- Proof of the document’s necessity in Switzerland
- Payment (cash or by debitcard)
Legalization in the case of the opening of a bank account
This General Consulate may not legalize documents for the opening of a bank account. As per the Convention Agreement relative to the bond obligation of diligence of banks (CDB 08), one must contact the branch or bank close to one’s place of residence in order to proceed with the required legalization. Please contact your bank for additional information.
Confirmation of nationality and registration in the Register of the Swiss Abroad.
Attestation of residence abroad
Certificate of civil rights capacity
Tax-free for Tourists
Other attestations
Various fees
Links
- Global Affairs Canada (GAC): Authentication of documents
- Government of Alberta: Authentication of documents
- Government of British Columbia: Authentication of documents
- Law Society of British Columbia
- Law Society of the Northwest Territories
- Law Society of Nunavut
- ServiceOntario
- Government of Quebec: authentication of documents
- Chamber of Notaries in Quebec
- Government of Saskatchewan: Authentication of documents
- Law Society of Yukon
- SwissBanking – Swiss Bankers Association