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Document authentication
Non-Hague · embassy legalization

International Authentication. Embassy legalization.

Countries that have NOT joined the Hague Apostille Convention - China (mainland), UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam, Iran, Pakistan, and others - require the older 'chain authentication' process: notary → county clerk → state Secretary of State → US Department of State → foreign embassy or consulate. We manage the entire chain, ship between offices, schedule embassy appointments, and pay the per-step fees. Typically 3-8 weeks end-to-end.

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All 50 states + DC 60-day money-back SOC 2 Type II
How it works

How we handle Conservation Easement, end-to-end.

A conservation easement is a permanent restriction on the use of land, typically donated to a qualified land trust to preserve the land's natural or open-space character.

1

Eligibility review

Land must have conservation value: scenic, ecological, historic, open-space, or recreational. We assess whether your land qualifies. Most rural and undeveloped properties do; urban properties rarely.

2

Land trust selection

Donation must be to a qualified land trust (501(c)(3)). We refer to local and national land trusts (Land Trust Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, regional trusts). They accept the easement and hold the restriction in perpetuity.

3

Engineering + appraisal

Engineering work documents the conservation value. Qualified appraisal determines diminished land value (the deduction amount). IRS scrutinizes appraisals; we use highly credentialed appraisers with conservation easement experience.

4

Legal documentation + closing

Easement document recorded with county recorder. Permanent restriction runs with the land. Donor receives appraisal-supported deduction. Coordination with attorney specializing in conservation easements.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

Pricing

Transparent conservation easement pricing.

Government fees pass through at cost. No upsells.

Single document · single country

$499
3-8 weeks

Full authentication chain for 1 document going to 1 non-Hague country. Includes all step fees, courier between offices, embassy submission. Excludes translation.

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Document + certified translation

$799
Full package

Single document + certified translation into receiving country's language (Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, etc.) coordinated with the authentication chain.

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Multi-document corporate set

$1,499
Up to 5 docs

Up to 5 documents (Articles, GS Certificate, board resolutions, etc.) authenticated together for foreign subsidiary registration. Translation extra.

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FAQ

About the Conservation Easement Service.

What is document authentication for international use?
It is the process of certifying US documents, like formation papers or corporate records, so they are recognized abroad, either through an apostille for countries in the Hague Convention or through legalization for those that are not. Foreign governments and banks often require it. We help you get your entity documents ready for use overseas.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a standardized certificate that authenticates a public document for use in another country that is party to the Hague Apostille Convention, issued by a designated state authority, so the receiving country accepts the document without further legalization. We flag which of your documents need one and the issuing authority.
What is the difference between apostille and legalization?
An apostille suffices for countries in the Hague Convention, while countries outside it require the longer legalization process through consulates or embassies, so the destination country determines which path applies. We flag which process your target country needs so your documents are authenticated correctly the first time.
Which documents commonly need authentication?
Formation documents, certificates of good standing, corporate resolutions, powers of attorney, and similar records are often authenticated for foreign banks, registrations, or partners. We flag which of your entity documents the foreign party requires so you authenticate the right ones rather than guessing.
Why would I need authenticated US documents abroad?
Foreign banks, governments, and business partners often require proof that your US company and its documents are genuine before opening accounts, registering a branch, or contracting, and authentication provides that proof. We flag when your international dealings will require authenticated documents so you prepare ahead of the deadline.
How long does authentication take?
An apostille is often relatively quick through the state authority, while consular legalization can take considerably longer because it involves multiple steps and offices, so timelines depend on the destination. We flag realistic timing so authentication does not hold up your foreign registration or transaction.
Do documents need to be notarized first?
Often yes: many documents must be notarized before they can be authenticated, since the apostille or legalization frequently certifies the notary's or official's signature, so notarization is a common first step. We flag the sequence so your documents are prepared in the right order for the authority to authenticate them. See notarization.
Can File.Business help authenticate my documents?
We help you obtain the underlying entity documents, like a certificate of good standing, and flag the notarization and apostille or legalization steps your destination country requires, so your US business documents are properly authenticated for use abroad rather than rejected by a foreign office.
Does authentication prove my documents are legally valid?
It certifies the origin and the signing official's authority so a foreign authority will accept the document, rather than judging the document's underlying content, which is exactly what foreign banks and registries need. We flag what authentication does and does not do so you use it for the right purpose.

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