Information for Document Authentication Services

A Briggs provides authentication expediting services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals on documents that will be used internationally. Authentication ensures that the requested information will serve in the interest of justice and is not contrary to U.S. policy. Common documents for authentication include:

• adoption papers
• articles of incorporation
• company bylaws
• diplomas
• distributorship agreements
• good standing certificates
• home studies
• letters of reference
• powers of attorney
• trademarks
• transcripts etc.

Please follow the requirements below before sending us your document(s) for international authentication. After you read all the instructions, call us at: 1-800-806-0581 with any questions and to place your order.

The document, all seals and all signatures must be originals.

Your document has been acknowledged before a notary public.

A. Your document must be certified by the county clerk of the court in which the notary is commissioned. (This can be waived if the authority in item B below will certify to the notary.)

B. Your document must be certified by the Secretary of State of the State in which the document is executed.

Complete and sign a Letter of Authorization and submit it with your document.

Letter of Authorization

Consular fees vary by document and by embassy.

State Department fees are $8 per document.

$175.00 for the first document

$15.00 for each additional document to the same embassy

All documents in a foreign language must be accompanied with a certified (notarized) English translation.

Processing times are business days and do not include shipping time. Keep this in mind when placing your order. We count "days" the same way embassies count days: if we receive and submit the document on Monday, then Tuesday is the first day, Wednesday is two days, etc. (we do submit documents every business day).

Document authentication processing times vary. Generally allow the same time an embassy requires to process a visa plus approximately one business day for processing at the U.S. State Department.

Print and fill out our document authentication order form and include it with your documents. Alternatively, you can call one of our A Briggs document authentication agents at 1-202-552-1337. Please furnish us your name, address, embassy of foreign country needed for the document authentication, shipping information, and payment method. You can make a secure payment using a credit card, check, or money order.

A Briggs is an expeditor only; it is the responsibility of the customer to determine the necessity of document authentication and furnish the requisite documents.