Certification and legalization are two different processes that are often used to validate the authenticity of documents. Certification involves the issuance of a certificate or a document that attests to the authenticity of a document or a signature. On the other hand, legalization is the process of authenticating a document or a signature for use in a foreign country.
Certification is generally done by a recognized authority, such as a government agency or a professional body, and it confirms that the document is a true and accurate representation of the original. For example, a university might certify a degree certificate to confirm that it is genuine.
Legalization, on the other hand, is usually done by a government authority, such as an embassy or consulate, and it confirms that the signature or stamp on a document is authentic and that the document can be used in a foreign country. This is particularly important when dealing with legal documents such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and power of attorney documents.
In summary, certification confirms the authenticity of a document or signature, while legalization authenticates the document or signature for use in a foreign country.
