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Monday, June 17, 2013

Authenticating Documents

     The last thing that was left to do for my application was to get my degree and teaching certificate authenticated.  To do this I had to get them notarized, then I had to head to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Ottawa.
     About two weeks before I had an official transcript from my University sent to the UAE Embassy.  Since I live in Montreal, I decided to drive to Ottawa (about an hour and a half) and take care of everything else in one day.
     To have your documents authenticated at the UAE embassy the cost is 75$ per document and they only take money orders of certified cheques.  I got a money order done at the post office for 7$.
     First stop the Department of Foreign Affairs.  I took my notarized documents to them and found the building and headed inside.  Everything went so smoothly there were about 8 people ahead of me, but I only had to wait 15 minutes to be seen.  Once they stamped my papers I headed to the UAE Embassy.
    I had to be buzzed in at the Embassy and the security was similar to an airport.  My bag had to go through a security check and I had to leave my ID and cell phone with the guard.  As I walked though the metal detector, the security guard scanned my body with one of those handheld detectors.  I was then given the Ok to go in.  I gave in my papers and my money order and was told to come back at 2:30 pm (it was now 11:30 am).  I went to Red Lobster (since we don't have them any more in Montreal) and walked around the mall.  At 2:15 pm, I headed back to the Embassy and went through the same procedure and was given back my authenticated papers.  I then headed back home to Montreal.

    Simple and easy (except for the speeding ticket I got on the way home).  I scanned my documents and sent them to my recruiter.  All I have to do now is wait for my ticket and departure date.  I still cannot believe this!

3 comments:

  1. GAH! everything was so perfect up until that speeding ticket. Dang you, woman! Ease up on that gas pedal. LOL!

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  2. Isn't the waiting exCRUciating?!

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  3. The waiting is pretty bad, but I am a strong believer in the adage "No News Is Good News". SO I am just waiting patiently as I get everything in order.

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