Legalization
Also called consular legalization · authentication chain · embassy legalization
Definition
The multi-step process by which a document is certified for use in a country that is not a party to the Apostille Convention, ending with certification by that country's embassy or consulate.
Context
For a United States federal document this runs through the Department of State's authentication certificate and then the destination's diplomatic mission. It is the path for destinations such as Vietnam and Thailand.
Government sources
Where this term comes from.
- Office of Authentications
U.S. Department of State · reviewed 2026-08-01
- Status Table — Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents
Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) · reviewed 2026-08-01
Related terms
- ApostilleA certificate issued under the 1961 Hague Convention that authenticates the origin of a public document so it can be recognized in any other Convention party without further legalization.
- Hague Apostille ConventionThe Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, which replaced consular legalization with a single apostille among its parties.
- Office of AuthenticationsThe office within the U.S. Department of State that authenticates federal documents for use abroad, issuing apostilles for Convention destinations and authentication certificates for others.