Embassy & consulate legalization for non-Hague countries.
If your destination isn't in the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille won't be accepted. We handle the full legalization chain — authentication, consulate legalization, and translation — end to end.
- For countries outside the Hague Convention
- Full authentication + consulate chain
- Certified translation coordinated
- We manage every step
What is embassy legalization?
For countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention, a single apostille isn't enough. The document must go through a legalization chain instead.
That typically means authentication at the state and/or federal level, then legalization by the destination country's embassy or consulate — sometimes with a certified translation.
It's more steps than an apostille, and each consulate has its own rules. We manage the whole chain so nothing gets missed.
- For
- Non-Hague countries
- Process
- Authentication + legalization
- Handled by
- Embassy / consulate
- Translation
- Often required
- We manage
- Every step
- Hague countries
- Apostille instead
Common uses
- Work & residency visas
- Business & corporate filings
- Marriage abroad
- Education abroad
- Immigration & family
- Contracts & tenders
What we handle
The full legalization chain, handled
Consulate legalization
We complete the legalization step at the destination country's embassy or consulate.
Authentication first
State and/or federal authentication before the consulate step, in the right order.
Certified translation
Coordinated when the consulate requires the document translated.
Rules confirmed
We confirm each consulate's current requirements before we submit.
Clear timelines
Legalization takes longer than an apostille. We tell you the realistic timeline for your country before you order.
Tracked return
Your legalized document ships back tracked.
- 50
- U.S. states + D.C. covered
- 132
- Google reviews · 5.0★
- 120+
- Hague member countries
- 2
- San Diego offices
How it works, step by step
- 1
Tell us the country
We confirm whether you need an apostille or legalization.
- 2
Authenticate
State and/or federal authentication as required.
- 3
Legalize
Legalization by the destination country's consulate.
- 4
Delivered
Returned tracked, ready to use abroad.
For Spain, your apostille often needs a sworn Traductor-Intérprete Jurado translation
For Spanish visa categories that require an FBI background check, the FBI certificate (and, where the office asks, its federal apostille) must be accompanied by an official Spanish translation when required by BLS or the applicable Spanish consulate. Some offices accept only a translation by a Traductor-Intérprete Jurado, while others accept a certified translator. A sworn translation meets the strictest rule; a non-compliant one can cause the application to be delayed, considered incomplete, or rejected.
Hector Gomez, a MAEC-appointed Traductor-Intérprete Jurado, is on our team, so you can coordinate your FBI background check, federal apostille, and official Spanish translation through one service.
Get your documents moving today
See our flat price per document, then start your order online.
A real, verifiable apostille
The documents we handle come back with an official apostille attached where required, in the standard Hague Convention format and verifiable with the office that issued it. Here's a real example (personal details redacted), alongside what clients say.
“Fantastic service! Frank was really helpful navigating this complex European requirement. Would highly recommend.”
“I needed to apostille a number of documents, for residency abroad, and Apostille Near Me handled everything in a very timely manner. Frank runs a fantastic operation and really cares about his customers.”
“Fast, friendly and great location. Thank you Frank. Highest recommendation.”
Legalization questions, answered
Straight answers to what clients ask us most. Don't see yours? We're one call away.
What is embassy legalization?+
For countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille isn't accepted. Instead the document goes through a legalization chain — authentication, then legalization by that country's embassy or consulate.
How is it different from an apostille?+
An apostille is a single certificate accepted by Hague member countries. Legalization is a multi-step chain required by non-member countries and handled through their consulate.
Which countries need legalization?+
Countries outside the Hague Convention — this changes over time. Tell us your destination and we'll confirm whether you need an apostille or legalization.
Do you handle translation too?+
Yes. Many consulates require a certified translation as part of legalization; we coordinate it in the correct order.
How long does legalization take compared to an apostille?+
Legalization almost always takes longer than an apostille because it's a multi-step chain that ends at the destination country's consulate, and each consulate sets its own processing time. Once we know your document and destination, we give you a realistic timeline for the whole chain rather than just one step.
Do I have to visit the embassy or consulate myself?+
No. We manage the submission to the consulate and the authentication steps that come before it, so you don't have to make trips or navigate consulate rules yourself. Your finished, legalized document is returned to you by tracked shipping.
Still have a question? Call us at 1-800-889-7850
Related services & reading
Need legalization for a non-Hague country?
Tell us your document and destination country. We confirm the steps your country requires and give you a clear price before any work begins.