Authentication

 PROPERTY RESEARCH SERVICES, INC.
139 Fulton Street, Suite 1010, New York, N.Y.  10038  
  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   
Embassy Legalization
  • Documents issued in one country and intended for use in another country must be "authenticated" or "legalized" in order to be recognized as valid in the foreign country.
    The number and type of authentication certificates you will need depend on the nature of the document and whether or not the foreign country is a party to the multilateral treaty on "legalization" of documents.
  • If the country where the document will be used is not a party to the Convention, you will need "Embassy (Consular) Legalization" ( "Chain Authentication"). "Embassy (Consular) Legalization" of official documents is a procedure of confirmation of the validity of originals of official documents or certification of authenticity of signatures of the officials, authorized to certify the signatures on documents, and also the validity of prints of stamps, seals by which the document is fastened. The documents for non Hague Countries are subjected to "chain authentication" in the State, Federal and Embassy levels. The Department of State, Authentications Office is responsible for signing and issuing certificates under the Seal of the U.S. Department of Sate providing authentication services on documents that will be used overseas and then they are certified in the Embassy or Consulate of that country for which they will be legalized.

The following countries are not a party to the Convention and need "Embassy (Consular) Legalization" ( "Chain Authentication").

Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Australia
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Burma
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Congo (Brazzaville)
Congo (Kinshasa)
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia, The
Ghana

Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Holy See
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, North
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Libya
Madagascar
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Micronesia
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Nauru
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Oman

Pakistan
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Rwanda
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

"Embassy (Consular) Legalization"
"Chain Authentication"

Documents Issued by Federal Courts: Documents issued under the seal of a federal court should be preliminary authentication by the Justice Management Division. After the seal of the Justice Management Division is on the document, it may be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office. The final step is to obtain the seal of the foreign embassy or consulate in the United States. Usually, foreign embassies or consulates in the U.S. can only authenticate the seal of the U.S. Department of State. Some foreign embassies and consulates maintain sample seals of state authorities.

Documents Issued by Federal Agencies: Documents issued under the seal of a federal agency can be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office. The final step is to obtain the seal of the foreign embassy or consulate in the United States. Usually, foreign embassies or consulates in the U.S. can only authenticate the seal of the U.S. Department of State. Some foreign embassies and consulates maintain sample seals of state authorities.
State Documents: State documents such as documents originating with a state court or agency (birth, death, marriage, etc.) must be authenticated by the appropriate office in the state Secretary of State's office. The document may then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office. The document may then be authenticated by the foreign embassy or consulate in the United States. Usually, foreign embassies or consulates in the U.S. can only authenticate the seal of the U.S. Department of State. Some foreign embassies and consulates maintain sample seals of state authorities.
Notarized Documents: The procedure for authenticating documents executed before a notary public such as affidavits or acknowledgments varies from state to state. In some states, this requires contacting the clerk of the court of the county where the notary is licensed, and obtaining an authentication of the notary's seal. The state Secretary of State's office can then authenticate the seal of the clerk of the county court (Foreign Certification). After the seal of the state Secretary of State is on the document, it may be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office. The final step is to obtain the seal of the foreign embassy or consulate in the United States. Usually, foreign embassies or consulates in the U.S. can only authenticate the seal of the U.S. Department of State. Some foreign embassies and consulates maintain sample seals of state authorities.
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