The short version
An apostille is an official certificate, attached to a US document, that authenticates the document for legal use in another country that's part of the Hague Apostille Convention (1961).
Once apostilled, your US birth certificate, diploma, power of attorney, or business document can be presented in over 120 countries without any further authentication.
Who issues an apostille?
- State documents (birth, marriage, death, notarized documents): the Secretary of State of the issuing US state.
- Federal documents (FBI background checks, FDA letters, IRS letters): the US Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Court documents: usually the state court clerk first, then the Secretary of State.
Why use ApplyApostille?
When do you need one?
- Getting married abroad
- Applying for a foreign work or student visa
- Enrolling a child in school overseas
- Adopting internationally
- Opening a foreign bank account
- Registering a US company in another country
- Selling property abroad
Which countries accept apostilles?
Over 120 countries are members of the Hague Convention — including most of Europe, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.
For non-member countries (like UAE, Vietnam, China, or Saudi Arabia), you'll need legalization through the destination country's embassy. We're rolling out legalization services soon — leave your email on the home page.
Common questions
Is an apostille the same as a notarization?
No. A notary verifies a signature. An apostille verifies that the official (notary, registrar, or court clerk) is real and authorized. Many documents need to be notarized first, then apostilled.
How long does an apostille last?
It doesn't expire — but the underlying document might. Some countries require birth certificates issued within the last 6 months, for example.
Can a photocopy be apostilled?
Generally, no. You need a certified copy issued by the state or county, or the original document, sometimes with a notarized statement attached.
Do I need to translate the document?
The apostille itself is recognized internationally without translation. But the destination country may require a certified translation of your document. Ask the receiving authority before ordering.
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