Embassy Legalization Services
When a document will be used in a country outside the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille may not be enough.
Global Apostille Group assists with authentication and embassy or consular legalization for eligible personal, educational, legal, and business documents.
We review the document, identify the appropriate authentication chain, and help coordinate the process through the required agencies.
What Is Embassy Legalization?
Embassy legalization is a process used when documents are intended for use in a country that does not accept a standard Hague apostille, or when the receiving authority requires additional legalization.
Depending on the document and destination country, the process may involve state or federal authentication followed by legalization through the appropriate embassy or consulate.
Requirements vary significantly by country. Some embassies require specific document formats, translations, application forms, supporting identification, or additional certifications before they will accept a document.
The correct authentication chain depends on the document, issuing authority, destination country, and requirements of the receiving institution abroad.
Documents We Can Process
We assist with a wide range of documents requiring authentication and embassy or consular legalization for international use.
Vital Records
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce records, and other eligible government-issued records.
Educational Documents
Diplomas, transcripts, school records, certificates, and other academic documents requiring international legalization.
Legal & Personal Documents
Powers of attorney, affidavits, declarations, single-status documents, wills, agreements, and other eligible records.
Background Checks
FBI background checks and qualifying state or local criminal history records requiring additional legalization.
Business Documents
Certificates, formation documents, corporate filings, resolutions, agreements, and other commercial records.
Federal Documents
Eligible documents issued by U.S. federal agencies that require federal authentication before embassy or consular legalization.
Why Trust Global Apostille Group?
Embassy legalization can involve several agencies and country-specific requirements. We help keep the process organized and clear from document review through completion.
Multi-Step Processing Experience
We understand that non-Hague legalization may involve state, federal, embassy, and consular requirements rather than a single authentication step.
Destination-Specific Review
We review the document and destination country before processing begins so the authentication route can be matched to the receiving authority's requirements.
Clear Process Coordination
We provide straightforward instructions, explain the required steps, and coordinate the document through the appropriate authentication and legalization stages.
Embassy Legalization FAQs
Common questions about authenticating U.S. documents for use in countries requiring embassy or consular legalization.
How do I know if I need embassy legalization instead of an apostille?
It depends on the destination country and the receiving authority. Countries participating in the Hague Apostille Convention generally accept apostilles, while non-Hague countries may require authentication followed by embassy or consular legalization.
Does every non-Hague country follow the same legalization process?
No. Requirements vary by country, embassy, document type, issuing authority, and intended use. Some destinations may require additional applications, translations, certifications, or supporting documents.
Does my document need to be authenticated before going to the embassy?
In many cases, yes. The document may first need state or federal authentication before the appropriate embassy or consulate will legalize it. The exact sequence depends on the document and destination country.
Can you process documents issued outside New York?
Yes. We provide nationwide assistance with qualifying U.S. documents and can help coordinate the appropriate state or federal authentication route before legalization.
Can you legalize FBI background checks?
FBI background checks are federal documents and generally follow the federal authentication route before any additional embassy or consular legalization required by the destination country.
Do embassy legalization requirements change?
Yes. Embassy and consular procedures, fees, accepted document formats, and processing requirements can change. Requirements should be confirmed for the specific country and document before processing begins.
How long does embassy legalization take?
Turnaround varies depending on the document, authentication agencies involved, destination country, embassy or consulate, and service level. We provide an estimated timeframe after reviewing the request.