What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an internationally recognized certificate that verifies the authenticity of a public document for use in another country. Established by the Hague Convention of 1961 (formally known as the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents), the apostille simplifies the process of using documents across international borders. Instead of the lengthy embassy legalization process, a single apostille certificate makes your document legally valid in 120+ member countries.
Last reviewed: February 2026
When and Why You Need an Apostille
- Using U.S. documents in any of the 120+ Hague Convention member countries
- Immigration and visa applications — foreign governments require proof that your U.S. documents are authentic
- International business — incorporating a company, opening bank accounts, or signing contracts abroad
- Education — enrolling in foreign universities or having your U.S. credentials recognized internationally
- Marriage abroad — most countries require apostilled birth and/or divorce certificates before issuing a marriage license
- Real estate — purchasing property in another country often requires apostilled power of attorney or corporate documents
- Legal proceedings — court orders, custody agreements, and other legal documents used in foreign courts
- Dual citizenship — tracing lineage and proving identity across generations requires apostilled vital records
Common Misconceptions About Apostilles
- An apostille does NOT certify that the content of a document is true — only that the signature/seal is authentic
- An apostille is NOT required for every international document — only for Hague Convention member countries
- You cannot apostille a photocopy — it must be an original or certified copy
- Private documents (contracts, letters) cannot be apostilled directly — they must first be notarized
- An apostille issued by one state is NOT limited to that state — it's valid for the entire document regardless of origin
- Apostilles do not expire in the U.S., but some receiving countries may require recently-issued documents
Apostille vs. Notarization
A notarization verifies a signer's identity. An apostille is a government certification that authenticates a document for international legal use. Foreign governments require apostilles — notarization alone is insufficient.
Top Reasons for Rejection
Hospital-issued birth certificates, photocopies, unsigned documents, and sending to the wrong state office are the most common causes of apostille rejections. Our free document review catches these issues before submission.
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Submit Documents for ApostilleStep-by-Step Process
Understand What an Apostille Certifies
An apostille does NOT verify the content of a document. It only certifies that the signature, seal, or stamp on the document is genuine. It verifies the authority of the person who signed or sealed the document, confirming they had the legal power to do so.
Determine If You Need an Apostille
Check if your destination country is a Hague Convention member. If yes, you need an apostille. If no (e.g., China, UAE), you need full authentication/legalization through the embassy — a different process entirely.
Identify the Correct Authority
State-issued documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, notarized documents) → state Secretary of State. Federal documents (FBI background checks) → U.S. Department of State. The apostille authority depends on who issued the original document.
Submit for Processing
Submit your original or certified document to the appropriate authority. They verify the signer's authority and attach the apostille certificate — a standardized form with 10 numbered fields identifying the document, signer, and certifying official.
Use Your Apostilled Document
Once apostilled, your document is legally recognized in all Hague member countries without any further certification. Some countries may still require a certified translation into their official language.
State Considerations
In the United States, apostilles for state-issued documents are handled by the Secretary of State (or equivalent office) in the state where the document was issued or notarized. Each state has different fees ($2–$40), processing times (same-day to 2 weeks), and specific requirements. We handle all 50 states.
View All 50 State PagesInternational Considerations
The Hague Apostille Convention has 120+ member countries across all continents. Major members include the entire European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. Notable non-members include China, UAE, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
View Country GuidesFrequently Asked Questions
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