Step-by-Step: How to Legalize U.S. Documents for Use in Jordan

To submit U.S. documents to the Jordan Embassy, it’s important to note that Jordan is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Therefore, apostilles are not accepted by Jordan. Instead, your documents must go through a multi-step embassy legalization process, involving:

1. State authentication,

2. U.S. Department of State authentication, and

3. Legalization by the Embassy of Jordan in Washington, D.C.

Below is a complete guide.

✅ Step-by-Step: How to Legalize U.S. Documents for Use in Jordan

🔹 Step 1: Prepare the Original Document

Examples of documents Jordan may require:

• Birth certificate

• Marriage certificate

• Power of attorney

• Business contracts or Articles of Incorporation

• Academic transcripts/diplomas

• FBI background check

📌 If the document is notarized, ensure it includes a valid notary acknowledgment or jurat and is properly executed.

🔹 Step 2: State-Level Authentication (e.g., California Secretary of State)

For state-issued or notarized documents:

• Submit them to the Secretary of State where the document was issued (e.g., California).

• You will receive a certificate of authentication (not an apostille).

📌 California Authentication Info

🔹 Step 3: U.S. Department of State Authentication (Federal Level)

After state authentication, the document must be authenticated by:

• U.S. Department of State – Office of Authentications, located in Washington, D.C.

• Submit using Form DS-4194 with a cover letter and payment.

📌 U.S. Department of State Authentication

🔹 Step 4: Submit to the Embassy of Jordan in Washington, D.C.

After federal authentication, the document must be legalized by the Jordanian Embassy.

🇯🇴 Jordan Embassy Requirements

Mailing Address:

Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan – Consular Section

3504 International Dr NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

📞 Phone: (202) 966-2664

🌐 Website: https://jordanembassyus.org

📋 Submission Checklist:

• ✅ Original document with both state and federal authentication

• ✅ Photocopy of the document

• ✅ Cover letter explaining purpose and destination country

• ✅ Applicant ID (copy of passport or driver’s license)

• ✅ Legalization fee (usually $33–$55+ per document, call to confirm)

• ✅ Prepaid return envelope (FedEx/UPS preferred)

🕒 Processing Times

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending documents with apostilles instead of authentications

• Skipping the U.S. Department of State step

• Not enclosing the correct payment or prepaid return label

• Mailing to the wrong embassy/consular jurisdiction

✅ How Orange County Apostille Can Help

At Orange County Apostille, we handle the entire process from start to finish:

• ✅ Notarization (if needed)

• ✅ State authentication (e.g., California)

• ✅ Submission to the U.S. Department of State through our D.C. office

• ✅ Legalization at the Jordanian Embassy

• ✅ Translation services (if required by Jordanian authorities)

• ✅ Secure return shipping with tracking

📩 Visit: https://orangecountyapostille.org to get started.