The process of having documents authenticated or certified for use internationally can be arduous and daunting. We take pride in handling your important documents with care, knowledge, accuracy, speed and confidentiality. These special certificates, issued by a government, certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the signatory acted, and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp on the document.
The primary purpose of an apostille is to make a document (like a birth certificate, school transcripts, marriage license, court order, diploma, or other notarized documents) issued in one country legally recognized and valid in another country, without the need for further diplomatic or consular legalization.
If you are unsure whether you need and apostille or other US Department of State certification, we will help you. We will ensure your documents are complete prior or applying and in most cases, return your documents within 10 days.
(1) important to note that an apostille does not validate the content of the document itself, only the official’s signature and seal.
(2) an apostille does not include translation services, if the country requires translation, a separate certified translation will be needed
Be confident your documents will meet international standards.
✓ complete
✓ accurate
✓ fast turnaround
the process
documents you need
costs
- determine if an apostille or authentication is needed
- determine if document(s) are public or private
- ensure all signatures and seals are original, clear and legible
- submit to the “correct” authority
- documents are returned (may take up to 6 weeks)
- expedited services are available
- the original document to be apostilled; if it is a public record (birth certificate, marriage license, death certificate, court order, etc.) it must be certified
- valid photo ID (state-issued ID or passport
- info about the document (issuing state, date, exact destination country
- any specific instructions from the receiving country or entity (is translation required, is wet seal required on the apostille, any specific format requirements)
- payment for service (money order, credit card & cash are accepted
- state filing fee (mandatory)
- US Dept of State fee (for federal documents)
- notary fee
- translation fee (if required)
- shipping / courier fees (standard vs expedited)
- cost per document
- document retrieval (if assistance is needed in obtaining original, certified copies of vital records)
- Red Ribbon legalization fee (for non-Hague Convention countries)
- resubmission fee if document is rejected due to client error