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Apostille services for documents from any US state

An apostille certifies that the signature and seal on a public document are genuine, so the document is recognized in the more than 120 countries party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. We handle the whole process, from obtaining a certified copy to returning the apostilled document to you.

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The ten standard fields of every apostille certificate. We make sure each one is right before your document leaves the country.

State or federal: who issues your apostille

Documents issued or notarized in a state, such as birth certificates, diplomas and powers of attorney, are apostilled by that state's competent authority, usually the Secretary of State. Federal documents, such as FBI background checks and documents signed by federal officials, are apostilled by the US Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, DC.

Sending a document to the wrong office is the most common reason for rejection. We identify the correct authority before anything is submitted.

Preparing a document for apostille

Vital records usually need to be a recent certified copy signed by an official whose signature is on file with the state. Private documents, such as a letter or a translation, must first be notarized. In some states, a county clerk certification is required before the state will issue the apostille.

Documents we handle

  • Birth, marriage and death certificates
  • Divorce decrees and court orders
  • Diplomas and transcripts
  • FBI Identity History Summaries (federal apostille)
  • Powers of attorney and affidavits
  • Articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing
  • Certificates of free sale and FDA documents
  • Notarized translations

Apostille by state

Requirements and issuing offices differ from state to state. Choose the state where your document was issued or where you need the service.

Frequently asked questions

What if the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention?

Then the document needs embassy or consulate legalization instead of an apostille. See our embassy legalization service; we manage both routes.

Can an apostille be issued on a photocopy?

Only if the photocopy has been certified as a true copy by a notary where state law allows it. For vital records, a new certified copy from the issuing office is normally required.

Do you apostille documents from several states at once?

Yes. Each document goes to the authority of the state where it was issued, and we coordinate them in one order.

Request a quote

Prices depend on the document, the language pair, the destination country and your deadline, so every request gets its own written quote. Attach your documents if you have them; it makes the quote exact.