What is diplomatic legalization?
Hungary, just like many other countries in the World, requires that foreign public document to be used (served) in official procedures are first legalized. Given that Canada is not a party to the so-called Apostille Convention, a Hungarian consul applies diplomatic legalization to Canadian public documents. The consul can only do this if the signature and seal samples of the issuer or authenticator of the documents are available to us.
Please note that Canadian vital statistics certificates to be used in Hungary usually do not require diplomatic legalization.
How can I request diplomatic legalization?
In person in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver, or by mail (address: 299 Waverley Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 0V9).
For mailed in applications please send along with the documents to be legalized:
- a cover letter requesting diplomatic legalization, and including your contact details,
- a self-addressed, prepaid return envelope.
How much is the fee for diplomatic legalization?
The consular fee is indicated at https://ottawa.mfa.gov.hu/hun/page/konzuli-dijak (V. Felülhitelesítés/Kanadában kiállított okiratok diplomáciai felülhitelesítése) for each signature to be authenticated. It is payable by debit/credit card only for in-person applications, and by a money order payable to the Embassy of Hungary if mailed in. We do not accept either cash or cheques.
What documents can the consul legalize?
We can legalize the signatures and seals of notaries public according to the instructions given on this page.
Other documents to be legalized have to be previously authenticated by one of the following Canadian authenticators:
| Entire Canada |
Global Affairs Canada |
|---|---|
| Alberta | Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Deputy Provincial Secretary’s Office 111-9833 109 Street Edmonton, AB T5K 2E8 Phone: +1 (780) 427-5069 Website: https://justice.alberta.ca/programs_services/official/Pages/authentication.aspx |
| British Columbia |
Ministry of Justice Order in Council Administration Office |
| Ontario | Ministry of Government and Consumer Services Official Documents Services 222 Jarvis Street, Main Floor Toronto, ON M7A 0B6 Phone: +1 (416) 325-8416 Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/authenticate-document-use-outside-canada |
| Québec | Chambre des Notaires du Québec 600-1801 avenue McGill College Montréal, QC H3A 0A7 Phone: +1 (514) 879-1793/5909 or +1 (800) 263-1793/5909 Website: www.cnq.org |
| Saskatchewan | Ministry of Justice Authentication Services 800 – 1874 Scarth Street Regina, SK S4P 4B3 Phone: +1 (306) 787-2951 Website: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/notarize-documents-queens-printer-maps-and-other-publications/authenticating-notarized-documents |
