Legalization

When Legalization (Not an Apostille) Is Required

You need legalization instead of an apostille when your document will be used in a country that is not a member of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. This process tends to take longer and be more expensive than obtaining an apostille, as it involves multiple levels of authentication:

• State level – authentication by the state authority (e.g., Secretary of State). The scanned copy of the document may be sufficient for this level, or the original document may be required depending on the country of use and document type. The timeline for this level varies by state and can range from same-day authentication to up to 27 business days..
• Federal level – authentication by the U.S. Department of State (when required). This can take up to 12 business days.
• Embassy or Consulate level – final legalization by the foreign mission representing the destination country. On average this takes about 7 business days and varies based on the authority.

To obtain a timeline for a project, Request a Quote.

Our Legalization Process

1. Initial Document Review
   We assess what type of authentication your document needs based on its use and destination country.
2. State AuthenticationIf required, we submit your document to the relevant Secretary of State for official certification.
3. Federal AuthenticationFor many non-Hague destinations, we secure authentication from the U.S. Department of State.
4. Embassy or Consular LegalizationWe coordinate with the destination country’s embassy or consulate in Washington, D.C., or another authorized entity based on jurisdiction rules to complete final legalization.
5. DeliveryYour fully legalized documents are returned securely and ready for international use.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re dealing with civil records, academic credentials, or business documents, we make legalization for non-Hague countries seamless and transparent. To start your project, Request a Quote.