What is Authentication or Legalization?
Making a document issued in one country valid for legal purposes in other countries is called authentication and legalization. Authentication proves that the signature and the seal on the document are genuine and it makes the document effective, valid, and recognized in another country.
The documents issued in the U.S. and intended for use in these non-Hague Apostille countries will be required to complete the authentication process, which may involve multiple steps and several government agencies.
If the country of use is a Hague Apostille country, only Apostille is needed, a much more simplified process of authentication. The countries that joined the Hague Apostille Convention reached an agreement on abolishing the requirement of legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
This is why you may have heard that some documents require Apostille, but others need Authentication or Legalization. It all depends on whether the country of use has joined the HAGUE CONVENTION OF 5 OCTOBER 1961.
How to authenticate and legalize documents issued in the U.S. for use in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Any documents issued in the U.S. destined for use in Zimbabwe require authentication by the Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State, and the Embassy/Consulate of Zimbabwe in the U.S. The specific government agencies involved in the authentication vary by document type.
No matter whether it's a document notarized by a local notary, a local and state document issued by the court or official department, or it's a federally-issued document, they all can be authenticated.
👉 For notarized or local and state documents:
Secretary of State Authentication
the U.S. Department of State Authentication
the Embassy of Zimbabwe Authentication
Tips: Documents issued in these 7 states need additional authentication before being presented to the Secretary of State's office.
👉 For federally-issued documents:
the U.S. Department of State Authentication
the Embassy of Zimbabwe Authentication
The Consular Jurisdictions of the Embassy/Consulates of Zimbabwe in the U.S.
Zimbabwe has one embassy in the United States, which is located at 1608 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009.
Documents we authenticate
These documents may include :
(This list is not all-inclusive. Please contact us if your document is not listed below.)
Birth Certificate
Death Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Divorce Certificate
Court Document
FBI – Background check
Background check of the local police department
U.S. Residence Certificate/Affidavit
Name Change Certificate/Petition for Name Change
Driver's License
Certificate of Naturalization
Any Translated Document
IRS Form-6166
Single Status Affidavit
Affidavit of One and The Same
Gift Affidavit
Waiver of Inheritance
Power of Attorney of Real Estate Transaction
Power of Attorney of Divorce Proceedings
Other Powers of Attorney
Proof of Income
Employment Verification Letter
Bank Statement
Diploma
Transcript
Health Certificate/Medical Letter
Home Study
Child Adoption Documents
Articles of Incorporation/Articles of Organization
Amendment
Company's Annual report (Statement of information)
Bylaws (Operating Agreements)
Good Standing Certificate
Business License
Meeting Minutes
Board Resolutions
Shareholders' Resolutions
Corporate Stock Ledger
Financial documents
Bank documents
Tax documents
Contracts
Besides Zimbabwe, we also authenticate documents destined for use in other non-Hague Apostille countries. The authentication process can be complicated, time-consuming, and distracting that requires expertise and experience. So just leave it to us! Our experts can provide you with a full range of fast services that allow you to save time and focus on your own careers and key areas.
American Notary Service Center Inc. provides fair, fast, confidential, and professional document notarization and certification services for our clients. We also provide various assistance services to small businesses led by socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Our service helps small businesses obtain federal government contracts, gain a foothold in the market, and boost their sales. For more information, please visit our website at www.usnotarycenter.com, and contact us by calling 202-599-0777 or by email at info@usnotarycenter.com.