When it comes to international document legalization, the term “legalization” refers to the process of verifying signatures, seals, and stamps on documents for use in a foreign jurisdiction. U.S. document legalization is observed by international governments and has varying requirements depending on the type of document, its intended use, and the country where it will be used. The most common types of documents that require legalization include educational diplomas, birth certificate,s and marriage licenses.
Legalizing a U.S. Document for Use in a Foreign Country
The first step in the legalization process for private documents is notarization, which involves a notary public authenticating an individual’s signature on the document by verifying their identity and confirming their willingness to sign. Notarized documents must then be certified as authentic by the local chamber of commerce, followed by an embassy or consulate for further authentication. The process for government documents varies, but typically begins with certification by the originating agency or department. This is usually done by an official who certifies that the agency is legitimate and that the document was issued by that agency.
After the attestation and certification steps, the document may be eligible for an apostille or authentication certificate from the U.S. Department of State or a state’s secretary of state. An apostille is an international certificate that identifies the United States as the country of origin of the document, and is required for documents to be recognised as valid in countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention (currently 125 countries). An authentication certificate is more specific, and certifies that the signatures on the document were authenticated in the originating country.