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What is an apostille?
An apostille is a standardized certificate that lets a public document issued in one country be accepted in another — without any further embassy or consular steps. It was created by the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, and today roughly 130 countries recognize it.
Here's the part that trips people up: an apostille does not say anything about whether your document is true. It verifies the signature, seal, and authority of the official who signed it — nothing more. This guide explains exactly what that means, who issues one, what it looks like, and when you need one.
Key takeaways
- An apostille certifies the signature, seal, and authority of the official who signed a public document — not the truth of its contents.
- It makes a U.S. document usable in another Hague Convention country (about 130 members as of 2026).
- State and notarized documents are apostilled by the issuing state's Secretary of State; federal documents by the U.S. Department of State.
- If the destination country is not a Hague member, you need embassy legalization instead — not an apostille.
What an apostille actually does
Who issues an apostille in the United States
- State and notarized documents — the Secretary of State of the state where the document was issued or notarized (birth and marriage certificates, powers of attorney, diplomas notarized in that state, corporate records).
- Federal documents — the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. (FBI background checks, IRS and Social Security letters, federal court and naturalization documents).
What an apostille looks like
When you need an apostille — and when you don't
Common documents people apostille
Need a document apostilled?
Tell us the document and the destination country and we'll confirm the right authority, the process, and a flat, all-in quote before any work begins.
Frequently asked questions
What does an apostille do?+
An apostille certifies the signature, seal, and authority of the official who signed a public document, so another country will accept it. It does not verify the truth of the document's contents — only that it was genuinely signed and sealed by who it claims.
Who issues an apostille in the United States?+
There's no single national apostille office. State and notarized documents are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state; federal documents (like FBI background checks, IRS or Social Security letters, and federal court records) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
What's the difference between an apostille and notarization?+
A notary verifies a signature on a document. An apostille is a higher-level certificate that authenticates the notary's (or official's) authority so the document is accepted internationally. A notarized document often has to be apostilled before it can be used abroad.
Do all countries accept an apostille?+
No. An apostille is only valid for the roughly 130 countries in the Hague Apostille Convention. For a country that isn't a member, the document needs embassy or consular legalization instead. Membership changes over time, so we re-verify your destination before filing.
Does an apostille expire?+
The apostille itself doesn't expire, but the office receiving your document may require it to be recent — often issued within 3 to 6 months. That recency rule is set by the receiving authority, not by the apostille.
How much does an apostille cost?+
It depends on the document, the issuing authority, and how fast you need it. You get a flat, all-in quote before any work begins — with no hidden fees, and no obligation.