Sending a Florida document to a country that is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention — such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or Kuwait? An apostille will not be accepted there. These countries require a multi-step process called authentication and embassy legalization. We complete the Florida authentication in person at the Florida Department of State and map out the full chain so your document is accepted abroad.
Apostille vs. authentication: which does your country need?
If your destination country is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention, a single apostille from the Florida Secretary of State is all you need — see the list of Hague member countries. If it is not a member, an apostille has no legal effect there. Instead, the document must be authenticated and then legalized by that country’s embassy or consulate — a longer, multi-agency process. The rule is simple: Hague country means apostille; non-Hague country means authentication plus embassy legalization.
New to these terms? See our full breakdown of apostille vs. authentication vs. legalization.
Which countries are non-Hague in 2026?
Hague membership changes over time, so always confirm your specific country before you begin. As of 2026, common non-Hague destinations that require embassy legalization include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, along with a number of other Middle Eastern, African, and Asian nations. Note that several countries have recently joined the Convention — China (2023) and Canada (2024) now use apostilles, not embassy legalization — which is exactly why it pays to confirm the current status rather than rely on an outdated list.
The non-Hague legalization process, step by step
- Florida authentication. The Florida Secretary of State certifies the notary or official signature on your document. For non-Hague countries this is issued as a notarial certificate rather than an apostille. We file this in person at the Department of State in Tallahassee.
- U.S. Department of State authentication. The document is then authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., which verifies the state-level certification.
- Embassy or consulate legalization. Finally, the destination country’s embassy or consulate legalizes the document. Each embassy sets its own fees, forms, and sometimes translation requirements.
Skipping or reordering these steps is the most common reason non-Hague documents are rejected. We make sure each step is completed in the correct order.
How we help
We complete the Florida authentication — the required first step — in person at the Florida Department of State, and we map out the exact federal and embassy steps for your specific country so nothing is missed. Because embassy requirements and fees vary widely from one country to the next, contact us with your destination and document type and we will give you the precise path and a quote.
Documents commonly legalized for non-Hague countries
- Powers of attorney and corporate documents for business in the Gulf
- Diplomas and transcripts for overseas employment and teaching
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates for residency and family matters
- Commercial documents — invoices, certificates of origin, and contracts
- Background checks for work visas
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an apostille for the UAE or Saudi Arabia?
No. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait are not Hague Convention members, so an apostille is not accepted. Your document needs authentication and embassy legalization instead.
What is the difference between an apostille and legalization?
An apostille is a single certificate accepted by Hague Convention countries. Legalization is a multi-step chain — state authentication, U.S. Department of State authentication, and embassy legalization — required by non-Hague countries.
Does China still require embassy legalization?
No. China joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2023, so documents bound for China now use an apostille, not embassy legalization. Always confirm the current status for your country.
How long does non-Hague legalization take?
It varies by country because it involves multiple agencies and the destination embassy. Contact us with your country and document and we will give you a realistic timeline.
How much does it cost?
The Florida authentication step follows our standard pricing; the full legalization cost depends on U.S. Department of State and embassy fees, which vary by country. Contact us for an exact quote.
Get your document legalized for a non-Hague country
Call 954-999-4933 or text 850-900-2203, or send us your document and destination country, and we will map the exact authentication and legalization path for you. Handled by the Online Florida Apostille Team — local Florida notaries who file in person at the Department of State.