Apostille or Legalization?
Know the key differences between those two terms.
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Apostille or Legalization - key differences
Documents destined for countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention must have an Apostille. This international certification, comparable to notarization, simplifies the authentication process among member countries.
On the other hand, documents intended for use in countries not part of the Hague Apostille Convention necessitate legalization/attestation.
Embassy/consular legalization involves a slightly more complex process. The document must be authenticated by the foreign embassy or consulate of the country where it is to be used.
This procedure verifies the document's authenticity on a governmental level, ensuring its acceptance in the non-treaty country. This method is more time-consuming and involves additional steps than Apostille certification.
The legalization/attestation procedure consists of getting a document certified through the chain authentication process, which includes the following:
- Secretary of State certification,
- US Department of State certification/attestation— not Apostille.
- Legalization of documents from foreign Embassies in the USA.
Our company offers both Apostille and Legalization/Attestation services. Feel free to contact us if you don't know which one you need. We will be happy to discuss your needs and recommend the right services for you.
Click on the name of the country to see if your document will require an apostille or certificate of authentication.
Albania is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for Albania requires a Hague apostille.
Documents originating from the United States and intended for use in Algeria necessitate legalization by the Embassy or Consulate. Depending on the specific state from which your documents stem, they will undergo the legalization process either at the Algerian Consulate General in New York or at the Algerian Embassy in Washington, DC.
Andorra is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. It means any U.S. document for use in Andorra requires a Hague apostille. No embassy legalization is required.
Antigua and Barbuda are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Antigua and Barbuda requires a Hague apostille.
Argentina is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means that any U.S. document intended for use in Argentina requires a Hague apostille.
Armenia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document for use in Armenia requires a Hague apostille.
Aruba is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for Aruba requires a Hague apostille.
Australia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Australia requires a Hague apostille.
Austria is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Austria requires a Hague apostille.
Documents originating from the United States and intended for use in Azerbaijan necessitate legalization by the Embassy or Consulate. This involves certifying the documents at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Washington, DC.
The Bahamas is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for the Bahamas requires a Hague apostille.
Bahrain is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for Bahrain requires a Hague apostille.
Documents from the United States intended for use in Bangladesh must undergo the legalization process via the Embassy or Consulate. Suppose your documents originated from Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Vermont. In that case, they will be processed by the Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York.
On the other hand, documents from California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona fall under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Miami, Florida, will handle documents from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
For all other states, document legalization will be managed by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC.
Barbados is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Barbados requires a Hague apostille.
Belarus is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Belarus requires a Hague apostille.
Belgium is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Belgium requires a Hague apostille.
Belize is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Belize requires a Hague apostille.
Bolivia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Bolivia requires a Hague apostille.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires a Hague apostille.
Brazil is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Brazil requires a Hague apostille.
Bulgaria is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Bulgaria requires a Hague apostille.
Cambodia is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents originating from the United States and intended for use in Cambodia necessitate legalization by the Embassy or Consulate.
Canada is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents require Embassy or Consulate legalization. Many receiving agencies in Canada accept Hague Apostilles. We recommend checking with the receiving agency in Canada to ensure that a Hague Apostille is accepted.
Chile is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means that any U.S. document intended for use in Chile requires a Hague apostille.
China is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (from November 7th, 2023). No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in China requires a Hague apostille.
Colombia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Colombia requires a Hague apostille.
Costa Rica is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Costa Rica requires a Hague apostille.
Croatia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Croatia requires a Hague apostille.
Cyprus is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Cyprus requires a Hague apostille.
Denmark is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Denmark requires a Hague apostille.
The Dominican Republic is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in the Dominican Republic requires a Hague apostille.
Ecuador is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Ecuador requires a Hague apostille.
Egypt is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization in Washington or Los Angeles.
El Salvador is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.
No embassy legalization is required.
It means any U.S. document intended for use in El Salvador requires a Hague apostille.
Estonia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Estonia requires a Hague apostille.
Ethiopia is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents originating from the United States and intended for use in Ethiopia necessitate legalization by the Embassy or Consulate.
Fiji is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Fiji requires a Hague apostille.
Finland is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Finland requires a Hague apostille.
France is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in France requires a Hague apostille.
Georgia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Georgia requires a Hague apostille.
Germany is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Germany requires a Hague apostille.
Greece is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Greece requires a Hague apostille.
Grenada is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Grenada requires a Hague apostille.
Guatemala is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Guatemala requires a Hague apostille.
Haiti is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization in Washington or Los Angeles.
Honduras is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Honduras requires a Hague apostille.
Hungary is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Hungary requires a Hague apostille.
Iceland is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Iceland requires a Hague apostille.
India is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in India requires a Hague apostille.
Indonesia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Indonesia requires a Hague apostille.
Iran is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require legalization in the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Ireland is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Ireland requires a Hague apostille.
Israel is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Israel requires a Hague apostille.
Italy is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Italy requires a Hague apostille.
Jamaica is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Jamaica requires a Hague apostille.
Japan is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Japan requires a Hague apostille.
Jordan is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy/Consulate legalization.
Kazakhstan is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Kazakhstan requires a Hague apostille.
Kenya is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy/Consulate legalization.
Kosovo is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Kosovo requires a Hague apostille.
Kuwait is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy/Consulate legalization.
Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Kyrgyzstan requires a Hague apostille.
Laos is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization.
Latvia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Latvia requires a Hague apostille.
Lebanon is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization.
Liberia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Liberia requires a Hague apostille.
Libya is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents originating from the United States and intended for use in Libya necessitate legalization by the Embassy or Consulate.
Liechtenstein is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Liechtenstein requires a Hague apostille.
Lithuania is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Lithuania requires a Hague apostille.
Luxembourg is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Luxembourg requires a Hague apostille.
Madagascar is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization.
Malaysia is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents originating from the United States and intended for use in Malaysia necessitate legalization by the Embassy or Consulate.
Mali is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization.
Malta is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Malta requires a Hague apostille.
The Marshall Islands is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in the Marshall Islands requires a Hague apostille.
Mexico is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Mexico requires a Hague apostille.
Moldova is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Moldova requires a Hague apostille.
Monaco is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Monaco requires a Hague apostille.
Mongolia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Mongolia requires a Hague apostille.
Montenegro is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Montenegro requires a Hague apostille.
Morocco is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Morocco requires a Hague apostille.
Mozambique is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents intended for use in Mozambique require Embassy or Consulate legalization.
Namibia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Namibia requires a Hague apostille.
The Netherlands is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in the Netherlands requires a Hague apostille.
New Zealand is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in New Zealand requires a Hague apostille.
Mexico is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Mexico requires a Hague apostille.
Madagascar is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy or Consulate legalization.
North Macedonia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in North Macedonia requires a Hague apostille.
Norway is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Norway requires a Hague apostille.
Oman is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Oman requires a Hague apostille.
Pakistan joined the Hague Apostille Convention on July 8, 2022. The Convention went into effect in Pakistan on March 9, 2023. After March 9, 2023, Pakistan is supposed to accept the Hague Apostilles. Inquire at the receiving Pakistan agencies what type of legalization they currently require.
Panama is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. This means any U.S. document intended for use in Panama requires a Hague apostille.
Paraguay is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. This means any U.S. document intended for use in Paraguay requires a Hague apostille.
The Philippines is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. This means any U.S. document intended for use in the Philippines requires a Hague apostille.
Peru is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. This means any U.S. document intended for use in Peru requires a Hague apostille.
Poland is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. This means any U.S. document intended for use in Poland requires a Hague apostille.
Portugal is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. This means any U.S. document intended for use in Portugal requires a Hague apostille.
Qatar is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy/Consulate legalization.
Romania is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. This means any U.S. document intended for use in Romania requires a Hague apostille.
Russia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. This means any U.S. document intended for use in Russia requires a Hague apostille.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Saint Kitts and Nevis requires a Hague apostille.
Saint Lucia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Saint Lucia requires a Hague apostille.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines requires a Hague apostille.
Samoa is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Samoa requires a Hague apostille.
San Marino is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in San Marino requires a Hague apostille.
Sao Tome and Principe are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Sao Tome and Principe requires a Hague apostille.
Saudi Arabia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Generally, no embassy legalization is required. However, some receiving agencies in Saudi Arabia are still requiring embassy legalization. Please inquire about what type of legalization Saudi Arabian agencies currently require.
Senegal is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Senegal requires a Hague apostille.
Serbia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Serbia requires a Hague apostille.
Seychelles is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Seychelles requires a Hague apostille.
Singapore is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Singapore requires a Hague apostille.
Slovakia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Slovakia requires a Hague apostille.
Slovenia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Slovenia requires a Hague apostille.
South Africa is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in South Africa requires a Hague apostille.
South Korea is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in South Korea requires a Hague apostille.
Spain is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Spain requires a Hague apostille.
Sri Lanka is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization.
Sudan is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization.
Sweden is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Sweden requires a Hague apostille.
Switzerland is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Switzerland requires a Hague apostille.
Syria is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization.
Taiwan is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require legalization at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) in Washington, DC.
Tajikistan is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Tajikistan requires a Hague apostille.
Thailand is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require an embassy/consulate legalization.
Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Trinidad and Tobago requires a Hague apostille.
Turkey is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Turkey requires a Hague apostille.
Tunisia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Tunisia requires a Hague apostille.
Turkmenistan is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require an embassy/consulate legalization.
Ukraine is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Ukraine requires a Hague apostille.
The United Arab Emirates is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require an embassy/consulate legalization.
The United Kingdom is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in the United Kingdom requires a Hague apostille.
Uruguay is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Uruguay requires a Hague apostille
Uzbekistan is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Uzbekistan requires a Hague apostille.
Venezuela is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. No embassy legalization is required. It means any U.S. document intended for use in Venezuela requires a Hague apostille.
Vietnam is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require an embassy/consulate legalization.
Yemen is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization.
Zimbabwe is not a member of the Hague Convention. Documents require Embassy / Consulate legalization.