Whether your company is expanding internationally, or you are importing goods and services, authenticating government documents is an important step in the process. There are a variety of different steps that must be taken depending on the country where the document will be used. In countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, most documents can be certified through a simplified process known as an apostille. However, if your business is dealing with documents from countries that are not party to the Convention, you will need to go through a more detailed process called legalization. Learn more

The Federal Authentication Process for U.S. Government Docs

Apostilles and legalizations have their own rules and requirements for each type of document, but the basic process is the same. Generally, the first step is to have your document notarized (a sealed certificate that confirms the authority of a notary public). Once the document is notarized it must then be reviewed by state or county officials and finally certified by State Department officials. Once the document is certified by the State Department, it can then be presented to the embassy or consulate of the country where the document will be used.

If you need to authenticate any documents that are issued by the federal government, you must have them certified by the US Department of State in Washington, DC. The following chart shows the basic steps involved. However, there are many nuances to this process that vary between countries and embassies and consulates. Using a service company that has experience working directly with these institutions can help avoid problems and expedite the process.