Countries Not in the Hague Apostille Convention: What You Need to Know
When using U.S. documents internationally, the process of legalizing those documents depends greatly on whether the destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. For member countries, the process is streamlined through an apostille. However, for countries that are not members, a more complex legalization process through embassies or consulates is required.
At Orange County Apostille, we specialize in helping you navigate both the apostille process and the traditional consular legalization required for non-Hague countries. Book your appointment with Orange County Apostille today to begin your document authentication process.
What Is the Hague Apostille Convention?
The Hague Apostille Convention (formally the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents) simplifies the process of certifying public documents for use abroad. Member countries recognize an apostille certificate as sufficient for validation.
For more information, visit the official Hague Apostille Convention website.
What If the Country Is Not a Hague Member?
Countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention require a multi-step consular legalization process, which typically includes:
- Notarization of the document
- State-level authentication (e.g., from the California Secretary of State)
- Authentication by the U.S. Department of State (state.gov)
- Legalization by the destination country’s embassy or consulate
List of Countries Not in the Hague Apostille Convention
Documents being submitted to any of the following countries require traditional embassy or consular legalization:
⸻
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Burkina Faso
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada (Global Affairs Canada)
- China (Mainland) (Embassy of China in the U.S.)
- Cuba
- Egypt (Egyptian Consulate)
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Haiti
- Indonesia (Indonesian Embassy in Washington D.C.)
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Malaysia (Malaysian Embassy in the U.S.)
- Mali
- Morocco
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Pakistan
- Philippines (Joined in 2019, but some entities may still require legalization)
- Qatar
- Russia (Suspended from Hague Convention as of 2022)
- Saudi Arabia (Saudi Embassy USA)
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore (Joined in 2021; verify acceptance)
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Syria
- Taiwan (Accepts apostilles under special procedures)
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) (UAE Embassy in Washington D.C.)
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Steps for Legalizing Documents for Non-Hague Countries
1. Notarization
Documents like powers of attorney, affidavits, and business agreements must be notarized.
- Use a certified notary from the National Notary Association.
2. State Authentication
Submit your notarized document to your state’s apostille authority.
- For California, visit the California Secretary of State.
3. U.S. Department of State Authentication
Federal documents (e.g., FBI background checks) must go to:
4. Embassy or Consulate Legalization
Submit your authenticated documents to the consulate of the country where the document will be used.
- Use Embassy World to locate foreign embassies and consulates.
Why Choose Orange County Apostille?
- Full-service document authentication for both Hague and non-Hague countries
- Same-day processing for many state-issued documents
- Translation services via the American Translators Association
- Secure international shipping through FedEx and UPS
Book your appointment online today.
Helpful Government Backlinks
- U.S. Department of State
- California Secretary of State – Apostille
- FBI Background Checks
- U.S. Courts
- CDC Vital Records
- Global Affairs Canada
- Embassy of China in the U.S.
- Saudi Embassy USA
- UAE Embassy Washington D.C.
- American Translators Association
Embedded Government and Legal Resources (20 Links)
- U.S. Department of State – Apostille
- FBI Identity History Summary
- California Secretary of State – Apostille Unit
- CDC Where to Write for Vital Records
- U.S. Courts
- Global Affairs Canada
- Embassy of China – Washington, D.C.
- Egyptian Consulate
- Indonesian Embassy USA
- Malaysian Embassy in the U.S.
- Saudi Embassy
- UAE Embassy in Washington D.C.
- Taiwan – Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Philippine Embassy – USA
- Pakistan Embassy Washington D.C.
- Russian Consulate – USA
- National Notary Association
- American Translators Association
- UPS International Shipping
- FedEx International Shipping
Conclusion
If your documents are destined for a non-Hague country, don’t risk rejection. Work with Orange County Apostille to ensure proper notarization, authentication, and embassy legalization.
Book your appointment now to ensure your documents are internationally compliant.
