Documents prepared for countries that require consular authentication
When an apostille is not enough or is not the applicable procedure, Integramerica coordinates the state, federal, diplomatic and consular authentications needed to present U.S. documents abroad. Since 2004 we help individuals, families, businesses and professionals identify the correct procedure according to the document, the issuing authority and the destination country.
Free initial review · State and federal steps · Consular coordination · National and international shipping
When is consular legalization required?
Consular legalization is a process of successive authentications that may be needed when a U.S. document will be presented in a country where the Hague Apostille is not applicable, or when the receiving authority requires additional steps.
Depending on the case, the procedure may include:
Notarial certification or a certified copy.
State or county authentication, when applicable.
Federal authentication before the U.S. Department of State.
Legalization before the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
Translation or other formalities required by the receiving authority.
Not all documents go through all of these steps. The process depends on the origin of the document, its nature and the country where it will be presented.
Two distinct procedures for international document use
Generally used when a document issued in one country will be presented in another country, where the Hague Apostille Convention applies between them.
May be required when the Convention is not applicable or when the country or receiving institution requires additional diplomatic or consular authentications.
Send us a copy of the document and the name of the destination country. We will review the case and tell you which procedure appears applicable before you send any original. Reservations, objections or particular situations may exist between countries, so the current official status table should always be verified.
A coordinated process, from start to finish
Send us a copy
Send a clear photo or scanned copy by WhatsApp or email and indicate: type of document; issuing state or authority; destination country; receiving institution, if known; and deadline, if any.
Receive the review
We review the information and explain whether an apostille or legalization applies, what prior certifications may be needed, whether to send an original or certified copy, which authorities may be involved, the estimated cost and processing time. The initial review is free, with no obligation. We normally respond within one business day.
We coordinate the authentications
Once the service is authorized, we coordinate the applicable state, federal and consular steps and return the documents to you, your business, your attorney or the designated recipient.
Documents for countries that require consular authentication
Personal & civil
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce certificates
- Death certificates
- Powers of attorney
- Affidavits
- Child travel permits
- Adoption documents
Academic & professional
- Diplomas and degrees
- Academic transcripts
- Study certificates
- Professional licenses
- Enrollment or graduation letters
- Institutional certifications
Corporate & commercial
- Articles of Incorporation
- Certificates of Status
- Corporate resolutions
- Contracts
- Commercial invoices
- Certificates of origin
- Export documents
State, court & federal
- State background checks
- FBI background checks
- Court orders and judgments
- Notarized documents
- Eligible federal agency documents
A document type appearing on this list does not mean that every country requires the same procedure. Each case should be reviewed before sending originals.
Legalization is not the same for every document
State documents
Vital records and other public documents are usually authenticated in the state that issued them.
Notarized documents
Powers of attorney, statements and authorizations may require valid notarization and, in certain states, additional prior certifications.
Court documents
Judgments and case copies may require certification by the Clerk of Court before continuing.
Federal documents
FBI background checks and other documents issued by federal agencies follow a different path than state documents.
Consular requirements
Each embassy or consulate may set its own forms, fees, translations, copies, appointments or submission methods. These requirements can change without notice.
We verify the procedure that applies to the country where you'll use the document
We do not publish a permanent list of “non-member countries.” That information can become outdated — as happened with Canada and China, which are now covered by the Apostille Convention. The current status of each country should be checked in the official Hague Conference (HCCH) status table.
Send us a copy of the document and the country where it will be presented. We will check the current status of the Convention and the known requirements of the corresponding authority.
Check the official Hague Convention country tableCareful coordination since 2004
We handle the multi-stage authentications that a case may require, with personal service in Spanish and English and documents destined for countries around the world.
- Review before accepting the caseWe identify the nature of the document, the issuing authority and the destination country before recommending the procedure.
- Multi-stage coordinationWe can manage the state, federal and consular authentications that apply to the case.
- Clear instructionsBefore sending originals, the client receives guidance on the required documents, cost and estimated time.
- Communication throughoutWe keep the client informed of relevant stages and coordinate national or international return.
Care and tracking for important documents
Originals entrusted to Integramerica are organized and handled carefully during the stages under our control. When available, we use tracked courier services and recommend keeping a complete digital copy before sending any original.
Protection, liability limits, courier services and the conditions applicable to any replacement are set out in the written terms accepted by the client.
Careful work and transparent terms
Reviewed before we start
We review the document and the destination country before accepting the case, to determine the appropriate procedure.
Kept informed at every stage
You receive clear updates and honest timelines through each authentication step.
Handled with care
Original documents are handled with care and tracked throughout the process, under our written service terms.
Government fees, consular fees, translations, courier and requirements imposed or changed by external authorities may be subject to separate conditions and charges. Final acceptance of the document corresponds to the receiving institution or authority.
Questions about consular legalization
Still unsure? Send us a copy and the destination country and we'll review the applicable procedure.
How do I know if I need an apostille or legalization?+
Do all non-apostille countries require the same process?+
Does consular legalization include translation?+
How long does it take?+
Do I need to send the original?+
Can you return the document outside the United States?+
Do you guarantee it will be accepted?+
Request your document review
Send us a copy of your document and the country where it will be used. The initial review is free. Service in Spanish and English.