Egypt does not use the apostille. Documents travel by the older legalisation chain, and the Egyptian mission is the last stop for papers going from the United States to Egypt. Anyone told that an apostille alone will do has been misinformed.
Quick facts
Commercial documents make up a large share of this work — certificates of origin, invoices, powers for company matters — alongside the family documents that bring most individuals to the counter.
The chain
| Step | Who does it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notarisation | U.S. notary public | For private documents |
| County or state certification | Clerk and Secretary of State | Depending on the document |
| Federal authentication | U.S. Department of State | Where the chain requires it |
| Consular legalisation | Egyptian mission | Final step for use in Egypt |
| Egyptian documents outward | Foreign ministry in Cairo, then the U.S. mission | Mirrors the chain |
Documents issued in Egypt are legalised by the foreign ministry there before they mean anything abroad, and the Arabic original usually needs a certified translation for use here.
How to prepare a document
- Ask the receiving body in Egypt exactly which legalisations it wants.
- Order a certified copy, or notarise the private document.
- Obtain the state certification and, where required, the federal one.
- Submit to the Egyptian mission covering your state with the fee.
- Arrange the Arabic translation, usually made in Egypt.
- Keep the chain together and order a spare set.
Required documents
- Original document, intact and unaltered.
- Completed legalisation request.
- Identification of the person filing.
- Payment in the accepted form.
- Prepaid return envelope for postal filings.
What the missions do
They issue passports and identity documents, legalise documents, handle powers of attorney, process dual nationality permissions, register births and marriages and assist nationals in difficulty.
Consulate General of Egypt in Chicago
View details →HoustonConsulate of Egypt in Houston
View details →Los AngelesConsulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Los Angeles
View details →New YorkConsulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in New York
View details →New YorkPermanent Mission of Egypt
View details →WashingtonEmbassy of Egypt
View details →Additional notes
Commercial documents
Exporters deal with this chain constantly, and chambers of commerce are often an extra step before the mission. Ask your customer in Egypt what they need.
Budget for the whole route
Several fees and rounds of postage add up well beyond what an apostille would cost.
Order two copies
Egyptian offices keep what they receive, and repeating the chain is slow.
Translations
Confirm whether the Arabic translation must be produced in Egypt before paying for one here.