Authentication is a process which foreign governments require to verify that a document is "authentic". An example of the authentication process is:

1. An employer signs a letter in the presence of a state authorized notary.

2. The letter is sent to the state Authentication office to verify that the notary is an approved state notary. The state authentication office will then affix their seal of approval with their official paperwork and attach this to the original notarized letter, confirming that they have approved the notary on the document.

3. The letter is next sent to the United States Department of Authentications in Washington DC. The State Department will examine the state letter and seal and then add their own letter and seal verifying that everything is correct and authentic.

4. The letter will then go to the foreign Embassy to verify that the U.S. Department of Authentications handled the document. At this time the foreign government will add their own seal and stamp of approval to this letter. At this point the letter is considered totally "authenticated" and can then be presented to the foreign government.

Another example of the authentication process is:

1. The prospective adoptive parent lives in Texas, but was born in Indiana. The adoptive parent must contact the vital statistic office in the state in which he or she was born and request certified copies of the original birth certificate.

2. Because the birth certificate originated in Indiana it should be authenticated in that state. Therefore, the birth certificate, is sent to the Indiana office of authentication.

3. After the state of Indiana authenticates the birth certificate it is then sent to the State Department in Washington DC.

4. The birth certificate is then sent to the foreign Embassy for final approval.

The authentication process is done for nearly every required document in the dossier and can be expensive, complicated and time consuming. Authentication is a vital part of the dossier and must be followed exactly and precisely. After you complete the authentication at the state level, WIA will help you with your authentications at the State Department and the Embassy.