In addition to providing translation services, BTS can help with the legalization and authentication of foreign documents.

Sometimes it needs to be demonstrated that official documents, that are issued in one country, but used in another, are authentic. In other words, the documents need to be legalized by the appropriate authorities as proof that the document was issued by a competent official, i.e. proof that the certificate is genuine and not fraudulent.

The country of destination determines what type of legalization/authentication is required:
Apostil [also called Apostille] or Certification
The most common types of documents submitted for authentication are:

	marriage licenses, certificates of non-marital status, divorce papers
	birth certificates
	job applications, references
	schoolrecords, diploma’s, transcripts, letters relating to degrees, on-line study certificates etc.
	powers of attorney
	adoption documentation
	deeds, distributorship agreements
	articles of association, merger dissolution agreements, certificates of amendment
	Other

For example, in the US, the Department of State is responsible for providing authentication services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals on all documents that will be used overseas.
Click on the link below to find Department of State locations

www.travel.state.gov/authentication.html

For California go to: http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/notary/notary_authentication.htm

An Apostil is a special kind of document, that can be used if both countries (the country issuing the document and the country in which the document will be used) are members of the international
"The Hague Apostille Convention.
The USA is a member of the apostil convention. Click on http://www.hcch.net/e/members/members.html for an overview of the member states. A Certification is a similar type of authenticating document issued by the appropriate authorities of a non-member country.

If you are faced with the process of legalization and could use the help of BTS

PLEASE CALL US AT 1-800-601-1121
OR
Send an E-mail to notary@btsglobal.com

Useful
links:
For California, USA, click:
http://www.sfgov.org/index.htm
http://www.sfgov.org/countyclerk/index.htm
http://www.ss.ca.gov/cgi-bin/contacts.cgi

For information on US Embassies and Consulates abroad click:
http://usembassy.state.gov/

For filing with the United States and Patent office click:
http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/efs/instructions/filingsteps.htm

For information on Immigration and Naturalization in the US http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/services/index.htm

Please note that all the information provided above is for reference purposes only, and BTS cannot be held responsible for the content in the links provided or the accuracy of the information contained therein.