International Authentication
The process to legalize documents for international use in countries which are non-signatories of the Hague Convention. First a certified copy is obtained from the Secretary of State. Next this is delivered to the US Department of State for certification of it being a legal document of the United States. Finally this is delivered to the local consulate for the country where the document is to be legalized, so that local officials will recognize it as a legal document because it contains their countries authentication stamps and seals.