This is also the process of certifying a document usually for official purpose to be acceptable to be used in another country.  Legalisation provides confirmation that the paperwork you are providing is authentic.

The basic difference is that after a document is authenticated, the authentication office stamps and signs the document, confirming the authority of the public official such as a notary public, etc. on the other hand legalization makes an authenticated document valid for use in another country. This is usually done at the consulate or embassy of the target country. Further, document authentication is done by the local authorities, in the case of Nigeria by the MFAs, while legalisation on the other hand is done by the foreign embassy of the country where the document is presented for action.

Many documents may be required to be authenticated and legalised for use in another country, and some of those documents include, educational certificates, including degree certificates, powers of attorney, foreign court documents, international passports, driving licences, change of name certificate, death certificate, police character certificate, marriage certificates, birth certificate and other ID documents, etc.

Authentication can be done within a day, while legalisation can take within 48hours of submission and valuation by the particular embassy.

Initially, the documents is usually to be notarized through the notary public, after which the document is submitted for authentication at the MFA, and then, if required we request that the document be legalised at the relevant embassy.

Document authentication and legalisation are not required for documents to be used within the country, Nigeria. Under the law, such documents can be certified by requesting for the certified true copy (CTC) from the issuing authority. Requests for CTC can be made directly by the individual or a representative to the issuing authority and timelines vary depending on the issuing authority.