DNA Legalization: Certification? Check!

One step down in the process of getting the DNA report legalized. My dear friend, JC, in the St. Louis area walked the report through the Secretary of State's office in MO yesterday, getting it certified. For those of you not familiar with these terms, this is the Secretary of State for MO confirming that the notary on the paperwork is indeed a notary. Silly, I know, but that's how it works. Then, the document is sent to the Guatemalan Consulate here in the US that has jurisdiction over that state. For MO, it's the Consulate in Chicago, IL. The Consulate confirms that the Secretary of State certification is correct and in place. Today, the report will arrive to another friends' office in Chicago and he will take it tomorrow to the Consulate for authentication. THEN, it goes to Guatemala. Lots of steps, I know. You might wonder why our friend, DR, in Chicago can't take the paperwork to the Consulate today. Why, today is Guatemala's Independence Day and they are closed. So, Happy Independence Day, Guatemala! (and hurry up with HG's adoption while you're at it!)