U.S. Apostilles
 
 
Apostille (from French “notation”) is a special standard certification form or stamp applied to a document intended for use in participated foreign country
Apostille is in essence an international certification of a document
Apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the public official who signed the document, and verifies the seal/stamp, which the document bears
Apostille can be accepted ONLY in a country joining the Hague Apostille Treaty
Apostille can be obtained ONLY in the country and in the state or province where it was issued or certified
Apostille can be produced ONLY by an authorized government authority
Apostille can be applied ONLY to a public document, including general document certified by a notary public

Some facts about apostilles...

List of countries accepting apostilles (updated 12/4/2009):

Albania, Andorra* Antigua and Barbuda*, Argentina, Armenia*, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan*, Bahamas*, Barbados*, Belarus, Belgium, Belize*, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana*, Brunei Darussalam*, Bulgaria, China (Hong Kong & Macao), Colombia*, Cook Islands*, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic , Denmark, Dominica*, Dominican Republic*, Ecuador, El Salvador*, Estonia, Fiji*, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada*, Honduras*, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan*, Korea, Latvia, Lesotho*, Liberia*, Liechtenstein*, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi*, Malta, Marshall Islands*, Mauritius*, Mexico, Moldova*, Monaco, Montenegro, Namibia*, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue*, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis*, Saint Lucia*, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines*, Samoa*, San Marino*, Sao Tome and Principe*, Serbia, Seychelles*, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland*, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga*, Trinidad and Tobago*, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Vanuatu*, Venezuela

Sample list of documents which can be apostilled:

birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates; police records; medical records; single status and non-impediment to marriage letters and affidavits; diplomas, transcripts and school records; employment and bank letters; powers of attorney; articles of incorporation and organization; articles of amendment; articles of merger and dissolution; corporate bylaws; operating agreements; certificates of status; certificates of incumbency; resolutions and minutes; U.S. residency certificates; court judgements; other notarized copies of personal and business documents

Getting a document apostilled can be tricky, and it may require an expert to deal with. We have many years of experience in legalization documents for foreign use. Our rates are moderate, and our service is fast and convenient. We handle documents with caution, and you can rely on us.

What services do we offer?

  1. Bullet DOCUMENT SCREENING  --  We will screen your document and let you know if another certified copy is required or advise you how to notarize the current copy to make it acceptable for certification by apostille. if possible

  2. Bullet APOSTILLE OBTAINING  --  We will screen your document and let you know if another certified copy is required or advise you how to notarize the current copy to make it acceptable for certification by apostille, if possible. For acceptable documents we will arrange the same/next business day over-the-counter apostille service followed by FedEx overnight return delivery.

When may you need an assistance with apostiile?

  1. if you are not sure how to proceed in order to get your document(s) apostilled

  2. if you prefer to avoid possible document rejection and ensure that your apostille request will go smoothly. Is Apostille required for translation? Yes, some countries require a certified translation to be apostilled

  3. if you need a reliable local courier service for fast over-the-counter handling of the document(s)

  4. if you are currently residing in a foreign country

Here you will find a comprehensive information about apostilles in the United States absolutely for FREE. All information has been derived from official sources and integrated into one easy to navigate website. We hope that it will help you to learn how to get an apostille yourself or understand what you should be looking for in order to get it done. Google Ad links will lead you to additional sources of relevant information.

Last update: 2/23/2013

The Hague Convention defines public documents as:
those originating in a court, clerk of a court, public prosecutor or process server
administrative documents
notarial acts
official certificates placed on documents