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Apostille/Legalization
The Purpose
Anytime you plan to do something that involves another country, that country may request some type of official proof (documents) of who you are, what you're trying to do, why you're trying to do it, etc. Think of it as a passport for your US documents to travel to another country. Some reason's proof may be needed in other countries:
- Adopt a child
- Get married (such as destination weddings)
- Continue your education (such as an exchange student)
- Work or start a new job
- Bury a loved one in their native country
- Conduct business
- Open a bank account outside of the US
- Claim an inheritance
- Purchase commercial or residential real estate (invest)
- Build a school
- Start a charity or non-profit
- For many other reasons
WHAT IS AN APOSTILLE?
An Apostille (pronounced "Ap-pos-steel" and "Ap-pos-stee") is a certificate that authenticates the signature of a public official on a document for use in another country. Apostilles are used when local and/or state documents are being transferred between countries that are a member of the Hague Convention of 1961.
An Apostille certifies:
- The authenticity of the signature of the public official who signed the document,
- The capacity in which that public official acted, and
- When appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears, e.g. a notary public seal.
An Apostille does not validate the contents of a document.
Click for a list of countries that are members of the Hague Convention.
WHAT IS AUTHENTICATION?
For all non-Hague countries, a certificate of Authentication will be issued. Please note: Certificates of authentication may require an additional certification from the US Department of State or the foreign embassy/consulate prior to submission to the foreign country.
Prices are determined by each embassy and consulate, and processing times vary according to each country of destination. Please call for Authentication quotes.
WHAT IS LEGALIZATION?
Once a document is authenticated, it must be certified by the foreign jurisdiction to be valid there. This process, called legalization, usually occurs at the country’s embassy or consulate, and can be considered the final step in the authentication process.
Prices are determined by each embassy and consulate, and processing times vary according to each country of destination.
For documents seeking legalization from embassies of the following countries, additional embassy fees may apply, varying from $50 to $600: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Congo Democratic, Cango Republic, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Palestine, Sudan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, UAE, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
Please call for Legalization quotes.
Here is an illustration to help explain the process:
Need Assistance
Need Assistance?
If you have questions, 1st Class Signature Service is available to provide assistance for your apostille, authentication and legalization needs, just click the button below. For additional information, check out the US Dept of State.