LEBANON · EMBASSY LEGALIZATION
Lebanon Embassy Legalization
Registering a U.S. marriage or birth with Lebanese authorities, managing family property, or settling an inheritance in Lebanon? Your documents need full legalization. We notarize, certify and legalize them, and ship them wherever they need to go.
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LEBANON AT A GLANCE
Not a Hague Convention member
An apostille alone won't be accepted.
- State certification
- U.S. Department of State authentication
- Lebanon embassy legalization
- Arabic translation if required
Why Lebanon needs legalization
Documents we legalize for Lebanon
- Marriage and birth certificates for civil registration
- Powers of attorney for property, inheritance and banking
- Divorce decrees and death certificates
- Single status affidavits
- Diplomas and transcripts
- FBI background checks
- Corporate documents
The legalization chain, step by step
- 1
Notarization or certified copy
Signed documents are notarized first; vital records and court records start as certified copies. We come to you for notarization anywhere in Greater Boston.
- 2
State certification
The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, or the issuing state, certifies the document. FBI checks and other federal documents skip this step.
- 3
U.S. Department of State authentication
Handled in Washington, DC through our DC Satellite Office.
- 4
Embassy legalization
The embassy or consulate of the destination country legalizes the document. Commercial documents may need a chamber of commerce stamp first.
- 5
Translation and delivery
Arabic translation if the receiving office requires it, then tracked shipping, to you or directly abroad.
Every request is quoted individually, with government, embassy and chamber fees listed separately. Embassy timelines vary and can change without notice, so we give you a realistic estimate when you request a quote.
Common reasons clients need Lebanon legalization
Civil registration
Lebanese citizens often register marriages and births that happened in the U.S. Ask the embassy or consulate which documents they need.
Property and inheritance
Powers of attorney so family or a lawyer in Lebanon can act for you.
Work and study
Diplomas, transcripts and background checks.
Business
Corporate documents for registration and contracts.
How long Lebanon legalization takes
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Notarization appointment | Within 24 hours, often the same day |
| Massachusetts certification | 1–2 business days |
| U.S. Department of State authentication | About 2 weeks through our DC Satellite Office |
| Lebanon embassy or consulate legalization | Varies; we plan 5–7 business days |
| Arabic translation, if required | Usually 3 business days, with rush available |
Most Lebanon legalizations take about 3 to 5 weeks from the day we receive your documents. Embassy timelines can change without notice, so we confirm current timing with your quote.
Documents from other states and federal agencies
Your document doesn’t have to come from Massachusetts. We handle documents from any U.S. state: we arrange the certification from the state that issued it, then complete the federal and Lebanon steps. Federal documents such as FBI background checks skip the state step and go straight to the U.S. Department of State.
Not sure where your document starts? Send us a scan and we’ll map the route for you. See how document authentication works.
Avoid these common delays
- Getting an apostille instead. Lebanon isn’t in the Apostille Convention, so a state apostille won’t be accepted. The state has to issue a certification.
- Old certified copies. If a vital record is more than 12 months old, confirm with the recipient in Lebanon that they’ll accept it.
- Names that don’t match. The name on each document should match the passport the Lebanon office will compare it with.
- Translation in the wrong order. Some offices want the Arabic translation legalized too. We confirm the order before we start.
- Separated pages. Never remove staples or pages from a notarized or certified document.
Why clients choose us for Lebanon
One order, every step
Notarization, certification, federal authentication, embassy legalization and Arabic translation under one order and one invoice.
We come to you
Notarization at your home, office or hospital anywhere in Greater Boston, often the same day.
Our DC Satellite Office
Handles the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps in Washington for you.
Worldwide delivery
Finished documents sent to you, or directly to Lebanon, with tracking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an apostille for Lebanon?
No. Lebanon is not a Hague Convention member, so documents need full legalization.
Can you notarize a power of attorney in Arabic?
We can notarize your signature on a document in another language, as long as the notarial certificate is in English and you understand what you're signing.
Do I need an Arabic translation?
Often, depending on the receiving office. We can arrange it. See Arabic Translation.
Can you ship documents directly to Lebanon?
Yes, with tracking.
How long does Lebanon legalization take?
Most Lebanon legalizations take about 3 to 5 weeks from the day we receive your documents. We confirm current embassy timing when you request a quote.
Can you send the documents directly to Lebanon?
Yes. We can send the finished documents to you or directly to the recipient in Lebanon, with tracking.
Do you handle documents from other states?
Yes. We handle documents from any U.S. state. We arrange the state certification, then complete the federal and embassy steps.
Is my certified copy too old?
If a birth, marriage or other certified record is more than 12 months old, confirm with the recipient that they’ll accept it. Many offices want a recent copy, and we can order one for you.
Sending documents to Lebanon?
Send us your document list, and we'll confirm every step and the total.