(Non-Hague International Document Legalization)

Embassy and Consulate Legalization is the process required for documents being used in countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Unlike an Apostille — which is recognized among Hague countries — non-Hague destinations require a multi-step legalization process that may involve state certification, federal authentication, and final legalization by the destination country’s embassy or consulate.

This process must be handled correctly and in the proper order to avoid rejection, delays, or the need to restart.

How Embassy Legalization Differs From an Apostille

While both processes authenticate documents for international use, they are not interchangeable.

• Apostille: Used for Hague Convention countries; issued by a state authority or the U.S. Department of State; generally a single certification step after notarization or certification.
• Embassy & Consulate Legalization: Used for non-Hague countries; requires multiple steps and may include state-level certification, federal authentication, and final embassy/consulate legalization.

Because each destination country sets its own requirements, document review is required before processing begins.

What We Handle

NY Notary Public Services coordinates embassy and consulate legalization for a wide range of personal, corporate, and legal documents, including:

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Powers of attorney
• Affidavits and sworn statements
• Corporate formation and compliance documents
• Academic records and diplomas
• Court documents
• Commercial agreements and contracts

We routinely coordinate legalization requests for non-Hague jurisdictions, where requirements can vary significantly by destination country and document type.

Our Process

Every legalization request begins with document review to confirm the correct requirements and processing path.

• Step 1 — Document Review: You email your document in PDF format. We confirm whether the destination is Hague or non-Hague and identify the required steps.
• Step 2 — Preparation & Certification: If notarization or certification is required, we coordinate that step first. When eligible, Remote Online Notarization may be used to prepare documents for legalization.
• Step 3 — State & Federal Authentication: Documents are processed through the appropriate state office and, when required, the U.S. Department of State.
• Step 4 — Embassy or Consulate Legalization: The final step involves submission to the destination country’s embassy or consulate for legalization.

Throughout the process, we provide clear guidance and status updates so there are no surprises.

Timing & Expectations

Embassy and consulate legalization timelines vary based on destination country requirements, embassy or consulate processing time, document type, and whether federal authentication is required.

Because timelines and requirements differ significantly, turnaround and pricing are confirmed only after document review.

Remote Online Notarization for International Use

When permitted, Remote Online Notarization (RON) can be used to notarize documents before they enter the legalization process.

RON allows signers to appear from anywhere in the world using government-approved New York technology, reducing the need for in-person appointments while maintaining compliance. Eligibility depends on document type and destination country requirements.

Why Clients Use Us for Embassy Legalization

• Experience with both Hague and non-Hague processes
• Hands-on review before work begins
• Coordination across multiple agencies when required
• Clear communication at each stage
• Secure handling of sensitive documents

Many clients contact us after encountering incomplete or rejected legalization elsewhere. Our role is to ensure the process is handled correctly from the start.

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Related: Apostille & Legalization | RON for International Use | Translation Services | Court Records