Redacted Sample
Apostille Route
A redacted professional document that completed notarial and court clerk certification, then received an Apostille issued by the competent state authority.
Example not yet publishedEligible certificates, diplomas and professional documents may undergo different legalisation procedures depending on the document, the country of use, and the requirements of the receiving authority. A route may include notarial certification, county or court clerk certification, state-level certification, an Apostille, US Department of State authentication, embassy or consular legalisation, and finally certification by the foreign ministry of the destination country where that is required.
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Notarial Certification
Certification of a signature or declaration attached to the document before a commissioned notary, where the route requires it.
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County / Court Clerk Certification
Certification of the notary's commission or signature by the court clerk or the competent local authority, where the route requires it.
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State-Level Certification
Certification issued by the Secretary of State's office verifying the preceding official seal or signature, depending on the document and the country of use.
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Apostille
An Apostille certificate issued by the competent state authority for use of the document in states party to The Hague Convention, subject to the requirements of the receiving authority.
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U.S. Department of State Authentication
May be required for documents destined for countries or authorities that follow the consular legalisation route rather than the Apostille route.
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Embassy / Consular Legalisation
Legalisation by the embassy or consulate of the country of use, after the required US authentications have been completed.
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Destination-Country Foreign Ministry
The route may be completed by certification from the foreign ministry or competent authority in the receiving country, according to local procedure.
Notarial, Apostille and consular legalisation procedures confirm the authenticity of signatures, seals or the official capacity of the issuing authority. They do not constitute academic accreditation of a qualification and do not guarantee its acceptance. Acceptance remains subject to the requirements and decision of the receiving authority.
Examples
Documented Examples of Legalisation Procedures
Each example describes only the route that particular document followed. Not all documents pass through the same stages.
Redacted Sample
State-Level Certification Route
A redacted example showing the sequence of local certification followed by certification from the competent state authority, according to the document and the requirements of the receiving authority.
Example not yet publishedRedacted Sample
International and Consular Route
A redacted example of an extended route covering local certification, state certification, US Department of State authentication, then consular legalisation and the certifications required in the country of use.
Example not yet publishedExamples are published only after every personal detail has been permanently removed and written consent has been obtained from the document holder.