Some countries do not accept the apostille. Documents for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait and other countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention need embassy legalization, sometimes called attestation. We manage every step from our office at 6124 Hwy 6 N, Houston, so you do not have to deal with three government offices yourself.
Apostille or Legalization? Check Your Country
- Apostille is enough: Mexico, India, China (since November 2023), Saudi Arabia (since December 2022), Vietnam (since September 2026), the UK and most of Europe. See our apostille service
- Embassy legalization needed: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait and other non-member countries
The Legalization Chain, Step by Step
- Prepare the document. A certified copy from the issuing office, or a document notarized by a Texas notary.
- Texas Secretary of State. Authenticates Texas documents. Federal documents such as an FBI check skip this step.
- U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. Authenticates the state or federal seal.
- The country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. Legalizes the document for use in that country.
- In the destination country. Some countries, such as the UAE, also ask for a final stamp from their Ministry of Foreign Affairs after arrival.
Documents We Legalize
- Degrees, diplomas and transcripts for jobs in the Gulf, see our diploma page
- FBI background checks for work and residence visas
- Birth and marriage certificates for family visas
- Powers of attorney and affidavits
- Company documents: articles, certificates of good standing, commercial invoices
Moving to the Gulf to Work or Teach?
Employers in the UAE and Qatar usually ask for a legalized degree and a legalized police check. We can fingerprint you, order the FBI check and start both documents at once. Teachers can see our teach-abroad document guide.
Prices
- Embassy legalization: call for a quote (fees vary by country)
- Notarization: $10
- FBI background check: $95
- Certified translation: $65 per document
See all prices on our pricing page.
We are a document service, not a law firm, and we do not give legal or immigration advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an apostille and embassy legalization?
An apostille is a single certificate accepted by countries in the Hague Apostille Convention. Countries outside the convention, such as the UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Kuwait, instead require a chain of authentications ending with their embassy in the U.S.
Which countries need embassy legalization instead of an apostille?
Common ones for Houston customers are the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and Kuwait. Saudi Arabia and China now accept apostilles, so they no longer need embassy legalization.
How long does embassy legalization take?
It depends on the document and the embassy. Each step (Texas Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State and the embassy) adds time, so plan for several weeks. Call us with your country and document for a timeline.
How much does embassy legalization cost?
Embassy fees vary by country and document type, so we quote each order. Call (832) 530-3652 with the country and document for a price.
Does an FBI background check need the Texas Secretary of State?
No. An FBI check is a federal document, so it goes straight to the U.S. Department of State and then to the embassy. Texas documents start with the Texas Secretary of State.