Everything you need to know about apostille services, document
authentication, and our process
General Questions
An apostille is an official certificate issued by a designated
government authority that authenticates the origin of a public
document. It verifies the signature, seal, or stamp on the
document, making it legally valid for use in countries that are
members of the Hague Convention of 1961.
Think of it as an international stamp of approval that confirms
your document is genuine and can be trusted in over 120 countries
worldwide.
You need an apostille when using U.S. documents in foreign
countries that are members of the Hague Convention. Common
situations include:
Working or studying abroad
Getting married in another country
Conducting international business
Adopting a child internationally
Processing immigration or visa applications
Over 120 countries that are members of the Hague Convention accept
apostilles. This includes most European countries, many Latin
American countries, Australia, and many others.
For countries not part of the Hague Convention (like Canada, UAE,
and Vietnam), you'll need embassy legalization instead. We can
help with that too! Contact us to discuss your specific
destination country.
An apostille is used for countries that are members of the Hague
Convention and is a single-step authentication process through the
Secretary of State.
Embassy legalization is required for non-Hague Convention
countries and involves multiple steps: authentication by the
Secretary of State, then by the U.S. Department of State, and
finally by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
It's more complex and takes longer, but we can handle the entire
process for you.
Process & Timeline
Processing times vary based on the service level you choose and
the state issuing the apostille:
Rush:
24-48 hours (subject to availability)
Expedited:
2-3 business days
Standard:
5-7 business days
These timeframes begin once we receive your documents and payment.
Shipping time is additional.
1
Contact & Consultation
Reach out to us with your document details and we'll provide
guidance and pricing.
2
Send Your Documents
Mail your original documents or certified copies to our
office.
3
Review & Processing
We verify your documents and submit them to the appropriate
authorities.
4
Apostille Obtained
The Secretary of State or federal agency issues the
apostille certificate.
5
Return Delivery
Your apostilled documents are shipped back via your
preferred method.
Yes! We provide regular status updates throughout the process.
You'll receive confirmation when we receive your documents, when
they're submitted for apostille, when the apostille is obtained,
and when they're shipped back to you. For expedited and rush
services, we provide even more frequent updates including SMS
notifications.
Documents & Requirements
We can apostille virtually any U.S. public document, including:
Personal Documents:
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Death certificates
• Divorce decrees
• FBI background checks
Educational Documents:
• Diplomas
• Transcripts
• Degrees
• Teaching certificates
Corporate Documents:
• Articles of Incorporation
• Business licenses
• Corporate bylaws
• Good standing certificates
Legal Documents:
• Powers of attorney
• Court orders
• Affidavits
• Deeds
For most documents, you need either the original document or a
certified copy issued by the original issuing authority. Regular
photocopies cannot be apostilled.
For documents like diplomas or birth certificates, if you don't
have the original, you can order a certified copy from the issuing
institution or vital records office. We can also help you obtain
certified copies if needed.
It depends on the document type:
Vital records (birth, marriage, death
certificates) and official government-issued documents do NOT
need notarization.
Personal documents like powers of attorney,
affidavits, or corporate documents typically DO need
notarization first.
We offer notary services if your document needs notarization
before apostille. Contact us to discuss your specific document.
Yes, if the document was issued by a U.S. authority, it can be
apostilled regardless of language. However, the destination
country may require a certified translation along with the
apostille.
We offer certified translation services in over 100 languages. The
translation can then be notarized and apostilled along with your
original document for a complete package.
We provide transparent, upfront pricing with no hidden fees.
Contact us with your specific requirements for a detailed quote.
We accept multiple payment methods for your convenience:
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express,
Discover)
Checks and money orders
PayPal and Venmo
Bank transfers and wire payments
Yes! We offer volume discounts when you need multiple documents
apostilled at the same time. The more documents you process
together, the more you save. Contact us with your requirements for
a bulk pricing quote.
Still Have Questions?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Our friendly team is here to
help you with any questions about apostille services.