What Is an Apostille?

An Apostille is a specialized certificate issued under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. It authenticates the origin of a public document such as a birth certificate, power of attorney, or notarized agreement so it can be legally recognized in another member country without further legalization. Apostilles are commonly required for:​​

• International Marriage or Adoption

• Studying or Working Abroad

• Business Transactions in Foreign Countries

• Visa and Immigration Applications

• Property Purchases or Legal Proceedings Overseas

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If a foreign authority requests “legalized” documents, and both countries are part of the Hague Convention, an Apostille is the streamlined solution. Apostille services vary based on who issued the original document and where it needs to be used.

 

The two main categories are:​

 State Apostille 

• Used for: Documents issued by state or local authorities.

• Examples: Birth certificates, marriage licenses, notarized documents, state court records, diplomas from state universities.

• Issued by: The Secretary of State in the document’s originating state.

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 Federal Apostille 

Used for: Documents issued by U.S. federal agencies.

Examples: FBI background checks, federal court documents, IRS Form 6166, FDA or USDA certificates.

Issued by: The U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

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Important Note: Please check the requirements of the destination country and the entity requesting the Apostille. We strongly recommend consulting with your attorney or the appropriate authority to ensure your documents meet all necessary legal standards prior to submission.