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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.

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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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.

Which countries require embassy legalization (not Apostille)?
Mainland China (Hong Kong + Macao are Hague), UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Lebanon, Indonesia, Algeria, Libya. The list changes - Canada joined Hague in 2024. We confirm current requirements at quote time.
How long does the full chain take?
Realistically 3-8 weeks: 1-2 weeks state Secretary of State, 4-6 weeks US Department of State (or 1-3 days rush), 1-3 weeks embassy. Saudi embassy can take 6-8 weeks alone. Rush options at each step.
Do I need a translation BEFORE or AFTER authentication?
Depends on country. China + UAE: typically translation BEFORE final embassy step. Saudi: often AFTER receiving Apostille-equivalent then translation in country. We sequence correctly per country.
What if my country joined Hague recently?
Canada joined January 2024; before that required embassy legalization for US documents. Today Canada accepts Apostilles. We use the current process at quote time. Some recent joiners (e.g., Indonesia in talks) still have transition rules.
Can I use a certified translation done abroad?
Sometimes - but the foreign translator must be certified by their country's court system, and the translation often must be apostilled or legalized in that country. Usually simpler to translate in the US with a sworn translator.
What is the difference between Apostille and embassy legalization?
Apostille (Hague Convention, 1961): single-step certificate accepted by 125+ countries. Embassy legalization: multi-step chain ending at the foreign embassy of the destination country. Slower, more expensive, but the only option for non-Hague countries.
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