Evidence letters - notarized or not?

[jo-macral]

My family in Canada will be sending supporting letters, which will be included with my wife's PR application. Do these have to be notarized, or only signed? These are simple letters stating they knew about our relationship, etc..

Thanks again.

 

[scorpion_ca]

My family in Canada will be sending supporting letters, which will be included with my wife's PR application. Do these have to be notarized, or only signed? These are simple letters stating they knew about our relationship, etc..

Thanks again.

I think you don't need notarize copy as you are submitting original documents. I believe you only need notarize copy when you submit copy of the documents.

 

[jo-macral]

That is what I was thinking too. They did go with a notary (cost $80+tax!!) and they were witnesses to the signature on their document, which is good, but not really needed for this kind of document I don't believe.

The notary went as far as saying that this was not enough, and that they had to send the document to Ottawa to get verified (her information, to prove she is my parent), and also send it to a Thai consulate to get stamped before sending it to me.

I don't know what they are thinking (the notary), but hell no.. Just a signature is enough IMO.

I've never done anything like this before, so I am not sure if all this is necessary, but I am glad it is not! They were looking at a $500 final bill to get one piece of paper 'verified' and notarized.

 

[LeisaP]

we didnt get our evidence letters notarized.
i just had our friends and family, sign their letters (real signature not printed, so i mean they typed up the letter, printed it than signed it and gave it to me) also i had them put the contact information like address and email.

its probably not necessary but why not. plus cic would never contact them anyways.

 

[jo-macral]

Thanks guys. That is pretty much what I thought too.

 

[thanh245]

I had two of my support letters notarized. Both are from my mother and brother. My application is kinda weak since i got married on first trip. So I wanted more weight on my app.My notarized letter only cost $25 so it wasnt so bad to do. Also my brother is an MP officer so I think his notarized support letter will really help my case. So it really depends, do you think you have a solid application?

 

[Fencesitter]

Since there is no requirement for these kinds of letters, there is also no requirement to get them notarized. It makes absolutely no difference if they are originals or copies of originals. The only time it could become important would be to establish proof of your intention to re-establish in Canada, but again, I'm assuming most people submit stronger evidence, so in that case, letters from family would be secondary.

We submitted scanned copies from friends and family, but this was not as important as the other evidence we submitted.

I don't know for sure, but I am guessing the visa officers don't care one way or the other. If they really wanted to verify the information contained in the letters, they would contact the folks who signed them.

FS

 

[SchnookoLoly]

If you're applying as common-law, then two letters must be notarised. If you're applying as spousal, then it's not required. We provided 10 letters, two of which we had notarised (cost £10 each in the UK). Not required, though - just make sure that the people who write letters include their contact information just in case CIC wants to contact them. Original signatures otherwise should be enough.

 

[Creampop]

letters from family and friends are always good proof, as the more people who know of your relationship the better (atleast in the eyes of CIC) they are only required to be notarized if you are applying common-law. I can't believe what you guys are being charged for the notary, in the US (well atleast in the state I am from) we can walk into a liquor store as most have notary office where they cash your checks and have anything notarized for 2 bucks per signature.