Embassy & Consulate Legalization Services | Non-Hague Countries

Embassy & Consulate Legalization (Non-Hague Countries)

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-level authentication, 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.

Not sure if your country is Hague or non-Hague? Hague Apostille Countries | Non-Hague Countries

How Embassy Legalization Differs From an Apostille

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

• Apostille: For Hague Convention countries; typically a single certification step issued by a state authority (or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents) after notarization or certification.
• Embassy & Consulate Legalization: For non-Hague countries; requires multiple steps and may include state-level authentication, 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 & Notarization (If Needed): If notarization is required, we coordinate it first. When eligible, Remote Online Notarization (RON) may be used to prepare documents for international processing.
• Step 3 — State-Level Authentication (When Required): For many state-issued or notarized documents used in non-Hague countries, the document may need state-level authentication before federal processing (requirements vary by state and destination).
• Step 4 — Federal Authentication (When Required): Some destinations and document types require federal authentication through the U.S. Department of State before embassy/consulate legalization.
• Step 5 — 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 state and/or 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.

Related: RON for International Use | Remote Online Notary

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 | Federal Authentication | Translation Services | Court Services | FAQ