Apostille or Legalisation? Documents for Non-Hague Countries
How to authenticate US documents for use abroad: apostille for Hague Convention countries, consular legalisation for the rest, and where translation fits in.
Reviewed by Murat Saymaz, Global Certified Translations · Facts checked 4 November 2026
The short answer
If the destination country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, a US public document needs only an apostille from the issuing state (or the US Department of State for federal documents). If it is not, the document goes through legalisation, usually certification by the state, then the Department of State, then the country's embassy. China joined in November 2023 and Canada in January 2024.
Rules that apply
Each rule links to its source. Checked 4 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the office that will receive your documents.
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| Convention countries abolish legalisation for public documents from other parties; an apostille is the only formality. | Hague Apostille Convention (1961), Articles 2-3 |
| The HCCH status table lists the parties and the date the Convention entered into force for each. | HCCH, status table |
| The Convention entered into force for China on 7 November 2023 and for Canada on 11 January 2024. | HCCH, status table |
| The US Department of State's Office of Authentications issues apostilles and authentication certificates for federal documents. | US Department of State, Office of Authentications |
| An apostille certifies the signature, the capacity of the signer and the seal; it does not certify the content of the document. | Hague Apostille Convention (1961), Article 5 |
Step one: check the status table
The HCCH status table is the authority on which countries are parties. Membership changes: China's accession took effect on 7 November 2023 and Canada's on 11 January 2024, which removed the embassy step for two of the most common destinations. A country can also join with objections from some existing parties, in which case the apostille does not work between those two countries. Check the table for both the destination and any objections before you start.
Apostille route (Hague countries)
- Get a certified copy (birth, marriage, death certificate) or have a document notarized (affidavit, power of attorney, translation).
- Get the apostille from the Secretary of State of the state where the document was issued or notarized. We process New Jersey and other state apostilles: $195 standard, $295 rush.
- Translate the document and the apostille into the destination's language, by a translator the destination accepts.
Legalisation route (non-Hague countries)
For countries outside the Convention, such as the United Arab Emirates (check the current table), the document is authenticated in a chain: certification by the state, then by the US Department of State, then legalisation by the destination country's embassy or consulate in the US, sometimes followed by its foreign ministry after arrival. Each embassy publishes its own requirements, fees and processing times, and some require the translation to be made or certified in the destination country.
Where the translation goes
Usually after the apostille or legalisation, so the translation covers the authentication too. Some countries want the translation itself notarized and apostilled, which means translation first, then notarization of the translator's certificate, then the apostille on that. Ask the receiving office which order it wants before you start, because doing the steps in the wrong order means doing them twice.
Federal documents
FBI background checks, federal court documents and documents signed by federal officials are authenticated by the US Department of State, not a state. We do not process federal apostilles or legalisations.
Notarized documents
Private documents (affidavits, powers of attorney, company resolutions, translations) are not public documents until a notary certifies the signature. The apostille is then placed on the notary's certificate, and it certifies the notary, not the content. That is why a power of attorney for use abroad is first signed before a US notary, then apostilled by the state where the notary is commissioned, then translated.
What we don't do
We process state apostilles and translate. We do not process federal apostilles, Department of State authentications, or embassy legalisations.
Documents we translate for this
Birth Certificate translation
Certified birth certificate translation accepted by USCIS, courts and universities, with the certificate of accuracy included.
Power of Attorney translation
Certified translation of powers of attorney and affidavits for use abroad or in the US, with the order of notarization, apostille and …
Diploma translation
Certified diploma and degree certificate translation for credential evaluation, licensing boards, employers and use abroad.
Price
$39 for the first page (up to 250 words) into English, $49 into any other language, then $0.116 per additional word. Each file is priced on its own. The signed certificate of accuracy is included.
Full pricingTurnaround
24 hours standard for most documents. Expedited service is +50% for 6–8 hours and +100% for 1–3 hours. Large files are quoted with a delivery date before you pay.
Questions
Can you notarize a document for an apostille?
Notarization is $19 per document. The apostille is then issued by the state on the notary's certificate.
Do you handle embassy legalisation?
No. We process state apostilles and translate. For non-Hague countries, the Department of State and the embassy handle the later steps.
Does an apostille prove my document is genuine?
It certifies the signature, capacity and seal of the official who signed it, not the content.
Does China accept apostilles now?
Yes. The Apostille Convention entered into force for China on 7 November 2023, so US public documents need an apostille instead of Chinese consular legalisation. Check the HCCH table for any changes.
What does an apostille cost?
We process state apostilles for $195 per document (standard) or $295 (rush), plus shipping.
Should I translate before or after the apostille?
Usually after, so the translation covers the apostille. Some countries want the translation itself apostilled; ask the receiving office.
Related
Prepared by Global Certified Translations, Edgewater, NJ. Translations are signed by a State Court Certified Translator. This page explains translation requirements; it is not legal advice.
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