LEGALIZATION
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IN GENERAL IT IS ONLY POSSIBLE TO LEGALIZE US ISSUED DOCUMENTS, IN THE US (AND THUS ALWAYS ADVISABLE TO REQUEST A LEGALIZATION IN THE COUNTRY OF ISSUANCE OF THE DOCUMENT). HOWEVER GLOBAL VISAS IS HAPPY TO REVIEW THIS ON AN AD HOC BASIS.  

WHAT IS A LEGALIZATION?

Legalization is the process whereby a foreign official body has requested, or as part of a foreign visa application, a document is required to be authenticated before use. The number of steps in this process and which official US bodies complete the different stages varies depending on the type of document and the country where the document is to be used. 

If a document is to be used in a country which is part of the Hague convention (https://www.hcch.net/en/states/hcch-members), then generally after apostille by the U.S. Department of State, no further steps are required in the process. Alternatively, it must also be presented to the country of use Embassy or Consulate in USA, for the final stage in the legalization process. 

Additional certifications may be required before a document can be used in a country and it may also require translation and/or notarization services (which usually occur prior to the U.S. Department of State apostille and Embassy legalization steps). Global Visas will confirm all required certifications steps (and their order of submission), upon receipt of the order request form. 

Please do see below an overview of the various different steps that, as discussed above, typically take place in a legalization requested in the US:

TRANSLATION: Some Embassies or Consulates may require that the document is presented to them in a particular language. Global Visas can assist with this process and will confirm such requirement and/or fees associated, when applicable.

APOSTILLE: As discussed above, apostille is the process of certification which takes place with the U.S. Department of State. Again, all documents to be used in a country part of the Hague convention, in general require no further steps after the U.S. Department of State apostille.

NOTARISATION: In may be a requirement of an Embassy or Consulate that the content and particulars of a document are verified before a notary public. Again, Global Visas can assist with this process and will confirm such requirement and/or fees associated, when applicable.

LEGALIZATION: As also discussed above, this is normally the final step in a certification process. If required, the document must be presented to the country Embassy or Consulate in USA where the document is to be used, for legalization.

WHEN IS IT REQUIRED?

In general, a document may require legalization when it is to be provided to an official body, or as part of a visa application, in a country other than the one that has issued the document. The process authenticates the document and it contents, so that when presented overseas it is recognized as a legitimate document.

As outlined above, this would include applying for a Visa, Drivers License, Foreign Passport, Medical Registration etc, in a foreign country.

WHAT DOCUMENT TYPES REQUIRE LEGALIZATION?

Typically the following document types may require legalization:
Birth / Marriage Certificates
Graduate / Diploma Certificates
FBI / Criminal Record Certificates
Medical Certificates
Contracts of Employment / Assignment letters
Divorce Decree / Divorce Certificates
Adoption Certificates
Affidavits signed by a lawyer or notary
Power of Attorney & Letters of Authorization (witnessed by a lawyer or notary)
Company Certificates of Incorporation
Articles of Organization / Certificate of Formation

NEXT STEPS

Review information above and complete request form (see below) / payment.

Access the DRAG N’ DROP email (supported by Dropbox Inc.), where you can securely upload scans of all documentation for our review. This additional email will be sent to you within 1 – 2 business hours of completing the request form. You may also find further information on the DRAG N’ DROP process via the menu above. IT IS IMPORTANT WE COMPLETE THIS STEP, SO THAT ALL STAGES AND ASSOCIATED FEES RELATED TO THE LEGALIZATION CAN BE OUTLINED. FURTHERMORE, YOU MUST ALLOW OUR TEAM 1 BUSINESS DAY TO COMPLETE THE REVIEW PROCESS.

Review all outlined legalization stages and associated processing times. Accept all stages of legalization and anticipated date of completion. Also approve final Global Visas service fees / local government and/or consular processing fees.

LEGALIZATION REQUEST FORM