In plain English
It often involves state authentication followed by the destination country's embassy or consulate.
Requirements vary by country and change, so check with the embassy.
Why it matters
If a country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille will not be accepted. Missing one step in the legalization chain can mean starting over and paying again, and the embassy timeline may run longer than expected.
Because embassy rules change, information that was correct for a friend last year may no longer apply.
Worked example
A document for a non-Hague country is authenticated by the state and then submitted to that country's consulate.
What to do
- Confirm with the destination country's embassy or consulate that legalization is required.
- Get a current list of steps and forms directly from the embassy.
- Have the document notarized first if the chain starts with a notarization.
- Obtain state authentication and any federal step the embassy requires.
- Submit to the embassy or consulate and track the return.
Common mistakes
- Getting an apostille for a non-Hague country leaves the document unusable there.
- Following outdated instructions from a forum can lead to rejection at the embassy.
- Skipping the translation the embassy asks for can stall the process at the final step.
Not the same as: Apostille
Legalization uses several offices including the foreign embassy, while an apostille is one certificate accepted by Hague member countries. See Apostille.
Go deeper
- Apostille, Authentication, Legalization: What's the Difference?: These three terms get mixed up constantly. Learn what each one means, who performs it, when it applies and how they relate to notarization and translation.
- Embassy Legalization Step by Step for U.S. Documents: A step-by-step view of embassy or consulate legalization for U.S. documents: preparing the paper, state and federal certification, the embassy stage and delivery.
Related terms
- Lien release: A document stating that a debt secured by property has been paid and the lien removed.
- Living will: A document stating a person's wishes about medical treatment if they cannot speak for themselves.
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA): Identity questions drawn from the signer's records that only the signer should be able to answer.
Common questions
What is legalization?
A multi-step process that authenticates a document for use in a country that does not accept an apostille.
Can you give an example of legalization?
A document for a non-Hague country is authenticated by the state and then submitted to that country's consulate.
Is legalization the same as authentication?
Authentication is often one step within legalization. Terms vary, so follow the embassy's own description of what it needs.
Can I skip the state step and go straight to the embassy?
Usually not. Embassies typically want to see the earlier authentications first. Ask the embassy for its order of steps.
General information, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and change; check with your state's commissioning office.