What Is an Apostille and Why You Might Need One?
What is an Apostille?
If you're planning to use U.S. documents in another country, you may have heard the term "apostille" — but what does it mean? An apostille is a specialized certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document, making it legally valid in countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1 – Understand When You Need an Apostille
You’ll need an apostille if you're submitting U.S. documents to a foreign government, school, employer, or court. Common documents that require apostilles include:
Birth, death, or marriage certificates
FBI background checks
Power of attorney
Notarized legal documents
Diplomas and transcripts
Make sure the destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. If not, you’ll need a different authentication process.
Step 2 – Gather and Prepare Your Documents
To obtain an apostille, the document must be an original or a certified copy issued by an official U.S. government agency or notarized by a commissioned notary public. Steps include:
Ensuring your document is complete and accurate
Getting a certified copy (for vital records) or a notarized original (for personal/legal documents)
Determining whether your document must be apostilled at the state or federal level
For example, a notarized power of attorney needs a state apostille, while an FBI background check requires federal authentication.
Step 3 – Submit the Apostille Request
The final step involves sending your documents to the appropriate authority:
State Apostille – Your Secretary of State office handles documents notarized or issued by that state.
Federal Apostille – The U.S. Department of State handles federally issued documents.
Include any required forms, fees, and a self-addressed return envelope. Processing time varies — expedited service is often available through professional apostille agents.
Need an apostille in Arizona or across the U.S.? We make the process simple. Schedule an appointment today for fast, reliable apostille facilitation services — whether for personal, legal, or business documents.
