Consular Legalization

Overview: Consular Legalization – official authentication and certification of a French official document by the consulate of a foreign country in France, which confirms that the document has full legal effect and may be used in that foreign country.

Issuing Authority:

• The Consulate of a foreign country in France

Personal presence: Not required

Content:

• The original document
• Statement of the Consulate that the document is authentic (true)
• Date of certification
• Signature of the Consulate officer
• Stamp of the Consulate

Consular legalization is required when you need to use a French official document outside France, in a foreign country, which is not a party to the Apostille Convention 1961.