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Is Notarization of Reference letter from Manager really needed?

slashmaybe

Hero Member
May 20, 2019
216
24
Hi,

Was advised earlier to get the reference letters from my managers (my HR does not provide reference letters) notarized.

Is this really necessary given the fact that the managers contact information will be on the letter? IRCC can use the provided contact information for verification etc. right ? Why is notarization needed?

Note: My managers will be providing my reference letters on the company letterhead.
 

dotslash227

Champion Member
Apr 28, 2019
1,846
366
Hi,

Was advised earlier to get the reference letters from my managers (my HR does not provide reference letters) notarized.

Is this really necessary given the fact that the managers contact information will be on the letter? IRCC can use the provided contact information for verification etc. right ? Why is notarization needed?

Note: My managers will be providing my reference letters on the company letterhead.
Notarisation is required only when the reference letter is not on an official company letterhead.
 
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uppperkut

Hero Member
Jan 28, 2017
942
236
Somewhere in ON
I don't expect the officers to go through the trouble of contacting your manager to verify your employment. They rarely do this type of verification anyway.

So to clear their doubt, notarizing the document would be a non questionable proof (hopefully) that it came from your manager. You still also need to show that he works there some how. Business cards, LinkedIn profile, etc.

I would at least give it a try to ask your manager if he can provide a letter on the company's letterhead. I did the same thing when my HR wouldn't write my tasks and duties.
 
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slashmaybe

Hero Member
May 20, 2019
216
24
I don't expect the officers to go through the trouble of contacting your manager to verify your employment. They rarely do this type of verification anyway.

So to clear their doubt, notarizing the document would be a non questionable proof (hopefully) that it came from your manager. You still also need to show that he works there some how. Business cards, LinkedIn profile, etc.

I would at least give it a try to ask your manager if he can provide a letter on the company's letterhead. I did the same thing when my HR wouldn't write my tasks and duties.
Yes, my managers are going to give the reference letter on the company letterhead - so I'm clear.

I could link my managers' LinkedIn profiles, yes - this is probably to be done in the LoE right?
 

slashmaybe

Hero Member
May 20, 2019
216
24
Yes, my managers are going to give the reference letter on the company letterhead - so I'm clear.

I could link my managers' LinkedIn profiles, yes - this is probably to be done in the LoE right?
Or on second thought, I will keep it simple and just include the reference letters from my managers (on company letterhead) in my application.
 

dotslash227

Champion Member
Apr 28, 2019
1,846
366
I don't expect the officers to go through the trouble of contacting your manager to verify your employment. They rarely do this type of verification anyway.

So to clear their doubt, notarizing the document would be a non questionable proof (hopefully) that it came from your manager. You still also need to show that he works there some how. Business cards, LinkedIn profile, etc.

I would at least give it a try to ask your manager if he can provide a letter on the company's letterhead. I did the same thing when my HR wouldn't write my tasks and duties.
IRCC officers do employee verification frequently. Of the 10 people whom I know, have immigrated, 7 applicants's employers had a verification email from IRCC asking to confirm the employee. Though, they did not receive any phone call.

IRCC also looks at your social media profiles (especially facebook and linkedin) to confirm your employment records.
 
Last edited:

uppperkut

Hero Member
Jan 28, 2017
942
236
Somewhere in ON
IRCC officers do employee verification frequently. Of the 10 people whom I know, have immigrated, 7 applicants's employers had a verification email from IRCC asking to confirm the employee. Though, they did not receive any email.

IRCC also looks at your social media profiles (especially facebook and linkedin) to confirm your employment records.
The majority of verification starts on the internet yes. That's how they did mine and lots of others' that I know. The more additional documents you submit to show your employment, the less likely they are to contact your employer for verification. I submitted:
- Reference letter
- Promotion letter
- Contract extracts for some jobs
- Manager's business card for every job
- My LinkedIn and my managers' LinkedIn profiles
- Work visa copies (I worked in Dubai)
- Payslips
- Salary deposits into my account

I got my PPR in about 80 days (FSW Outland). Regardless of my security check, I believe this help speed up my eligibility verification, but it could always be something else. Which is why I try to tell people to provide similar types of documents (only if they can).
 
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dotslash227

Champion Member
Apr 28, 2019
1,846
366
The majority of verification starts on the internet yes. That's how they did mine and lots of others' that I know. The more additional documents you submit to show your employment, the less likely they are to contact your employer for verification. I submitted:
- Reference letter
- Promotion letter
- Contract extracts for some jobs
- Manager's business card for every job
- My LinkedIn and my managers' LinkedIn profiles
- Work visa copies (I worked in Dubai)
- Payslips
- Salary deposits into my account

I got my PPR in about 80 days (FSW Outland). Regardless of my security check, I believe this help speed up my eligibility verification, but it could always be something else. Which is why I try to tell people to provide similar types of documents (only if they can).
Your submission was pretty comprehensive, and your work visa copy sealed the deal. But, not everyone submits a very comprehensive employment proof like you did, probably, because they are in a hurry to get an AOR.
 

dotslash227

Champion Member
Apr 28, 2019
1,846
366
The majority of verification starts on the internet yes. That's how they did mine and lots of others' that I know. The more additional documents you submit to show your employment, the less likely they are to contact your employer for verification. I submitted:
- Reference letter
- Promotion letter
- Contract extracts for some jobs
- Manager's business card for every job
- My LinkedIn and my managers' LinkedIn profiles
- Work visa copies (I worked in Dubai)
- Payslips
- Salary deposits into my account

I got my PPR in about 80 days (FSW Outland). Regardless of my security check, I believe this help speed up my eligibility verification, but it could always be something else. Which is why I try to tell people to provide similar types of documents (only if they can).
I also submitted a lot of documents to support my employment and wish I get my PR too in 80 days! :p *fingers crossed*
 

uppperkut

Hero Member
Jan 28, 2017
942
236
Somewhere in ON
probably, because they are in a hurry to get an AOR.
Something I always recommend against. There's no reason to rush at all. I think it took me over 70 days to collect my documents, even though I had all my work related documents before ITA. At that time, we had 90 days to submit the application.

While it didn't need to take that long, I reviewed my application like at least 7 times. Don't think I reviewed anything else in my life as much as my EE application lol.

The cases that I know that took long to get PPR had long travel history. Mine was pretty short.
 
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slashmaybe

Hero Member
May 20, 2019
216
24
The majority of verification starts on the internet yes. That's how they did mine and lots of others' that I know. The more additional documents you submit to show your employment, the less likely they are to contact your employer for verification. I submitted:
- Reference letter
- Promotion letter
- Contract extracts for some jobs
- Manager's business card for every job
- My LinkedIn and my managers' LinkedIn profiles
- Work visa copies (I worked in Dubai)
- Payslips
- Salary deposits into my account

I got my PPR in about 80 days (FSW Outland). Regardless of my security check, I believe this help speed up my eligibility verification, but it could always be something else. Which is why I try to tell people to provide similar types of documents (only if they can).
Hmm, noted.
Did you mention your managers' LinkedIn profiles in your LoE?
 

kalani123

Star Member
Sep 28, 2019
85
3
Dear All,

Please help to clarify on the notarizing part. I am in the similar situation of having a reference letter from my manager in a white paper with his email id, contact number and id card copy.

How to get this white paper notarized? Can someone please provide the simple procedure?

I have queries like,

1) What is the stamp paper to be used for this purpose? what is to be mentioned in the stamp paper?
2) Any explanation to be provided seperately apart from the reference letter and get signed by notary, me and manager? Please help with sample content.
3) should the white paper content be typed in a legal green paper and again signed by my manager, notary public and me?

I am really under pressure. Please guide.

Thank you in advance.
 

ale.m

Full Member
Aug 2, 2019
22
6
Vancouver
Category........
CEC
NOC Code......
1241
Dear All,

Please help to clarify on the notarizing part. I am in the similar situation of having a reference letter from my manager in a white paper with his email id, contact number and id card copy.

How to get this white paper notarized? Can someone please provide the simple procedure?

I have queries like,

1) What is the stamp paper to be used for this purpose? what is to be mentioned in the stamp paper?
2) Any explanation to be provided seperately apart from the reference letter and get signed by notary, me and manager? Please help with sample content.
3) should the white paper content be typed in a legal green paper and again signed by my manager, notary public and me?

I am really under pressure. Please guide.

Thank you in advance.

The job letter written by manager can be on a blank letter paper. You need to google notary public near you, and schedule an appointment (usually doesn’t take longer than 5-10 min). Bring the letter (unsigned!) to the appointment. The notary will witness your manager signing the letter, and stamp it, saying “Signed in front of me blah blah”.

You don’t need to notarize your Letter of Explanation. I attached mine as a first page of my proof of work experience file.
 

rajesh1514

Member
Nov 18, 2019
19
7
You don't need to notarize the reference letter, I submitted my documents without notarization from my supervisor I already got my PPR