provide an up-to-date list of local lawyers, notaries and legal translation services
provide you with sources of information about local laws and regulations
engage with local authorities regarding a criminal investigation in the event of an alleged homicide or other crime
make every effort to ensure that you receive equitable treatment under the local criminal justice system, that you are not penalized for being a foreigner and that you are neither discriminated against nor denied justice because you are Canadian
issue a Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad
authenticate documents, such as Canadian long-form marriage, birth and death certificates, that meet strict requirements
authenticate original seals and signatures on some documents
refer you to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Authentication and Service of Documents Section to authenticate Canadian documents so they will be acceptable for use abroad
provide a list of local providers of authentication services, if necessary
if local notarial services are unavailable:
certify true copies of documents that meet strict requirements
administer oaths and affirmations
witness signatures
notarize certain documents for Canadian citizens or for non-Canadian citizens if documents are intended for use in Canada
Consular officials cannot:
interfere in private legal matters or another country’s judicial affairs
interfere in a local police investigation
provide legal advice
obtain a criminal record check on your behalf
investigate a crime or death
seek preferential treatment from local authorities or try to exempt you from the due process of local law
issue letters of guarantee
issue letters of facilitation to be used as travel documents, proof of citizenship or personal identification
draft or modify legal documents
stamp documents to confirm they have been “seen” at a Canadian government office abroad
certify the genuineness, legality or credibility of documents
recommend lawyers or guarantee their reliability or competence
assess legal documents or provide advice on their content, validity or any other aspect
authenticate documents that require a consular officer to act as an agent for another entity, such as a bank, for the purpose of fulfilling legal and regulatory obligations
authenticate documents containing content that may be misleading or used for fraudulent purposes
solemnize a marriage
issue a certificate indicating that a foreign divorce will be recognized in Canada