Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about global document authentication, processing times, and requirements.
General Questions
Veridica Global is a document authentication and legalization service provider specializing in apostilles, U.S. Department of State authentication, embassy legalization, notarization, and related compliance services. We help individuals, corporations, and organizations prepare documents for international use by ensuring they meet the legal requirements of destination countries. Our services cover all 50 U.S. states and over 200 countries worldwide.
These are three distinct processes:
- Apostille: A single certification issued by a U.S. state authority for documents destined to Hague Convention countries. It's the simplest and fastest process.
- Authentication: A certification issued by the U.S. Department of State for federal documents or documents that require federal-level verification before international use.
- Embassy Legalization: A multi-step process required for non-Hague countries. It typically includes state certification, federal authentication (if required), and final legalization by the destination country's embassy or consulate.
Processing times vary by service type:
- State Apostille: 3–15 business days (expedited options available in some states, including Georgia)
- Federal Authentication: 7–12 business days
- Embassy Legalization: 4–14 business days for embassy processing, plus courier time
- Shipping: 1–3 days domestic, 3–10 days international
Total time depends on your destination country and service level selected.
Yes. We process documents from all 50 U.S. states and serve over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Each country has unique requirements, which is why we provide jurisdiction-specific guidance through our Document Requirements by Country resource.
No. Veridica Global is a private document services company. We are not affiliated with any government agency, but we work directly with state secretaries of state, the U.S. Department of State, and foreign embassies and consulates to ensure your documents meet all legal requirements.
Service-Specific Questions
An apostille is a certification issued by a U.S. state authority (typically the Secretary of State) that authenticates the origin of a public document. It is recognized by all Hague Convention countries and eliminates the need for further legalization. The apostille is a single stamp or certificate attached to your document.
You can check our Document Requirements by Country page, which lists all Hague and non-Hague countries. Alternatively, you can contact us directly, and our compliance team will verify your destination country's requirements at no charge.
Most public documents can receive an apostille, including:
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Diplomas and academic transcripts
- Corporate documents (Articles of Incorporation, Certificates of Good Standing, Resolutions)
- Powers of attorney
- Notarized documents
- Court orders and judgments
- Professional licenses
- Government-issued IDs and passports
Private documents (contracts between individuals) typically cannot receive apostilles unless they are notarized first.
Federal authentication is a certification issued by the U.S. Department of State that verifies the authenticity of documents issued by federal agencies or documents that require federal-level verification. It is required for certain documents before they can be legalized by foreign embassies.
Embassy legalization is required when your destination country is NOT a member of the Hague Convention. Non-Hague countries require a multi-step process that includes state certification, federal authentication (if applicable), and final legalization by the destination country's embassy or consulate in the United States.
The typical process has 3–4 steps:
- 1. State certification (if required by the destination country)
- 2. Federal authentication (if the document is federal or requires federal verification)
- 3. Embassy or consulate legalization (final step)
- 4. Courier delivery to your destination
Some countries may require additional steps or certifications. We provide country-specific guidance for each jurisdiction.
Embassy legalization involves multiple government agencies and steps, each with associated fees. Apostilles are a single-step process issued by state authorities. Embassy legalization requires coordination with state, federal, and foreign government offices, which increases processing time and cost. Additionally, some embassies charge higher legalization fees than others.
Federal documents that typically require authentication include:
- FBI background checks and clearance letters
- FDA certificates and approvals
- USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) filings and certificates
- USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) certificates
- Social Security Administration benefit letters
- Department of Defense documents
- State Department documents
- Federal court documents
- IRS letters and certifications
Contact us if you're unsure whether your federal document requires authentication.
Document Requirements
Most documents can be either original or certified copies. However, some countries and institutions have specific preferences:
- Originals are always accepted
- Certified copies (issued by the original authority) are accepted for most services
- Photocopies are generally NOT accepted unless certified
We recommend submitting the best available version of your document. Our team will advise if your specific document requires an original.
Not always. If your notarized document is destined to a Hague Convention country, it only needs an apostille. If it's destined to a non-Hague country, it may require federal authentication and embassy legalization depending on the destination country's requirements.
Yes. Diplomas, transcripts, letters of enrollment, and degree verification letters can all be authenticated. Most educational institutions issue certified copies that can receive apostilles or embassy legalization. Some countries require additional verification directly from the issuing institution, which we can coordinate.
Yes. We authenticate a wide range of corporate documents, including:
- Articles of Incorporation and Formation
- Certificates of Good Standing
- Corporate Resolutions
- Bylaws and Operating Agreements
- IRS EIN Letters
- Financial Statements
Yes. Vital records are among the most commonly authenticated documents. Birth, marriage, and death certificates issued by state vital records offices can receive apostilles (for Hague countries) or embassy legalization (for non-Hague countries).
Process & Timeline
You can submit documents through our secure online intake form at veridicaglobal.com/start-request. The process is simple:
- 1. Complete the intake form with your document details
- 2. Upload clear digital copies of your documents
- 3. Specify your destination country
- 4. Select your service level (standard or expedited)
- 5. Receive a quote and confirmation
- 6. Mail original documents to our processing center (address provided after intake)
- 7. We process and return your authenticated documents via secure courier
After you submit your documents, you receive a unique tracking number. You can log into your account at any time to view the status of your documents. We provide email updates at key milestones: receipt, processing, completion, and shipment.
We offer multiple shipping options:
- Standard domestic shipping: 1–3 business days (included)
- Expedited domestic shipping: Next-day or 2-day options available
- International shipping: 3–10 business days depending on destination
- Direct-to-destination delivery: Available for legal offices, corporations, and government agencies
All shipments are fully tracked and include signature confirmation.
Yes. Expedited processing is available for most services:
- State Apostille: Same-day to 48-hour options available in select states (including Georgia)
- Federal Authentication: Standard processing only (7–12 business days)
- Embassy Legalization: Expedited options vary by country
Expedited services are subject to availability and additional fees. Contact us for expedited pricing.
Payments, Refunds & Policies
We accept all major payment methods:
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- Debit cards
- Bank transfers (ACH)
- PayPal
- Wire transfers (for large orders)
Payment is processed securely through our encrypted payment portal.
We offer a satisfaction guarantee:
- If we cannot process your documents due to our error, we provide a full refund
- If a destination country rejects your documents due to our error, we reprocess at no charge
- If you cancel before processing begins, we refund all fees minus a small administrative fee
- Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days
For specific refund questions, contact our customer service team.
Yes. We guarantee:
- On-time processing according to stated timelines
- Secure handling of all documents
- Professional, compliant authentication
- Clear communication throughout the process
- Compensation if we miss guaranteed timelines (subject to terms)
Review our full SLA on our Compliance page.
While extremely rare, we maintain comprehensive insurance coverage. If a document is lost:
- 1. We immediately notify you and file an insurance claim
- 2. We work with you to obtain a replacement document from the issuing authority
- 3. We reprocess the replacement at no charge
- 4. Insurance covers the cost of replacement documents and reprocessing
Our secure handling procedures and insurance ensure your documents are protected.
Security & Compliance
We employ multiple layers of security:
- Encrypted digital uploads (256-bit SSL encryption)
- Secure physical storage in a climate-controlled facility
- Limited access to documents (authorized personnel only)
- Chain-of-custody tracking for all documents
- Regular security audits and compliance reviews
- Insurance coverage for all documents in our care
We use industry-standard 256-bit SSL encryption for all digital communications and uploads. This is the same encryption standard used by banks and government agencies. All data in transit and at rest is encrypted.
Identity verification is required by law to prevent document fraud and ensure compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. We verify your identity to:
- Prevent unauthorized use of documents
- Comply with federal and state regulations
- Protect you and the integrity of the authentication process
Your identity information is encrypted and never shared with third parties.
We retain documents and records according to legal requirements:
- Original documents: Returned to you after processing and shipping
- Digital records: Retained for 7 years for compliance and audit purposes
- Personal data: Retained only as long as necessary for service delivery and legal compliance
You can request deletion of your data at any time, subject to legal retention requirements.
We comply with all applicable privacy laws, including:
- GDPR (for EU residents)
- CCPA (for California residents)
- State privacy laws
- Federal data protection regulations
We do not sell, share, or disclose your personal information to third parties without your explicit consent. Review our full Privacy Policy on our website.
Need more help?
Our compliance experts are ready to answer your specific questions.
