Why DIY Notary Apostille for Diplomas Often Fails (and the Four Reliable Paths That Work)
Getting your diploma apostilled sounds simple — just notarize it at the bank or UPS and send it in, right? Unfortunately, many people discover the hard way that this “DIY” method often leads to rejection. In this article, we’ll break down why it happens, cite real-world examples, and outline the four verified paths that actually work for diploma apostilles.
✅ How an Apostille Really Works
- An apostille is issued only by a Secretary of State (or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents). It verifies the signature, seal, and authority of the signer — not the content of the document itself. (Source)
⚠ Why DIY Apostilles Often Get Rejected
- Notaries cannot issue apostilles — they can only notarize. Only the Secretary of State issues apostilles. (Source)
- Apostille applications are frequently rejected due to notarial mistakes: missing seals, expired commissions, wrong wording, or incorrect jurisdiction. (Source)
Real-World Examples of Rejection
“If you send in just a notarized copy, they will reject your application to apostille. They are looking for that little sentence and signature and notary on the signature.”
(Source)
“My notarized degree was returned … with a ‘Notice of Deficiency’ … the problem is the notary.”
(Source)
Why a Verified Process Works Better
At Apostille Near Me, we eliminate these risks by:
- Preparing a professional affidavit to state standards
- Verification of your diploma by our licensed company, attested by our Communication Director
- Proper notarization aligned with Secretary of State expectations
- Submission, monitoring, and completion of the apostille without errors
The Four Valid Paths for Diploma Apostilles
| Service Route | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| $249 – Full Service (Recommended) | $249 | Affidavit prepared & attested by Communication Director, verified, notarized, and submitted for apostille. Most common and reliable option. |
| $195 – University Route | $195 | University administration notarizes diploma directly. Strong since it originates from the issuing institution. |
| $349 – State-Specific Route (Spain & certain immigration) | $349 | Some immigration (esp. Spain) require apostille from the diploma’s state of origin. Example: California diploma → California affidavit + California apostille. |
| $449 – Registrar Coordination | $449 | We coordinate with registrar’s office to notarize diploma, then apostille it. Strongest verification method. If you provide notarized doc, apostille fee is $195. |
Paths to Avoid
Having your diploma notarized at UPS, Postal Annex, or a bank may look valid, but in practice it is often rejected because it does not provide real verification of the diploma itself. Immigration authorities want either:
- An institutional verification (university route)
- Or a licensed professional channel like Apostille Near Me
Final Thoughts
DIY apostille attempts may look cheaper, but they often lead to rejection, wasted time, and missed deadlines. Immigration offices abroad are looking for assurance that your diploma has been verified at the source or through a licensed professional channel.
– $249 Full Service (most popular and reliable)
– $195 University notarization
– $349 State-specific apostille (for Spain and certain immigration)
– $449 Registrar coordination (maximum assurance)Anything else is high-risk and may be rejected.