Federal Authentication + Embassy Legalization

For federal documents going to non-Hague countries

When a federal document — an FBI background check, a DD-214, an IRS or SSA letter — is bound for a country that has not joined the Hague Convention, an apostille alone will not be accepted. The document needs U.S. Department of State authentication first, and then legalization at the destination country’s embassy or consulate. This service handles both steps as one order.

How it differs from a plain apostille

A federal apostille is a single certificate for Hague-member countries. Non-Hague countries — the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Vietnam, Egypt, Taiwan and others — require the older two-part process instead. It takes longer and costs more because a second authority, the embassy, is involved.

The steps

1. U.S. Department of State authentication of your federal document.
2. Embassy or consulate legalization for the destination country.
3. Tracked return to you or a recipient abroad.

What is included

• The U.S. Department of State authentication fee.
• Embassy or consulate legalization.
• Document review and tracked shipping within the United States.

Some embassies require a certified translation before they will legalize a document. Where that applies, we coordinate translation in the same order. Not sure whether your destination is a Hague country? Tell us on the order form and we will confirm the correct path.