How to Get Documents Apostilled for International Use

An apostille is an official certification that makes your documents legally valid in other countries. Get it from your state's Secretary of State office (for state documents) or the U.S. State Department (for federal documents) before you travel. The process takes 1-3 weeks and costs $2-25 per document.

1. Identify which documents need apostilles. Common documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, educational transcripts, FBI background checks, and notarized affidavits. Check with the receiving country's embassy to confirm exactly what you need.
2. Get certified copies of your documents. Obtain official copies from the issuing authority. For birth certificates, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born. For educational documents, request official transcripts from your school. You cannot apostille photocopies or uncertified documents.
3. Determine the correct apostille authority. State documents (birth certificates, marriage licenses, state notarizations) go to your state's Secretary of State office. Federal documents (FBI background checks, federal court documents) go to the U.S. State Department's Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.
4. Submit your application. For state apostilles, visit your Secretary of State's website or office. Most states offer mail-in, walk-in, and expedited services. For federal apostilles, mail documents to the U.S. State Department at 44132 Mercure Circle, P.O. Box 1206, Sterling, VA 20166-1206.
5. Pay the required fees. State fees range from $2-25 per document. Federal apostilles cost $8 per document. Include a check or money order with your application. Some states accept credit cards for online applications.
6. Track processing times. Standard processing takes 5-15 business days for state apostilles and 8-15 business days for federal apostilles. Expedited service is available in most states for an additional fee, reducing processing to 1-3 days.

Can I get an apostille on the same day?

Some states offer same-day service if you visit in person and pay expedited fees. California, New York, and Texas have walk-in counters. Federal apostilles require mailing to Virginia and take minimum 3-5 days even with expedited processing.

Do apostilles expire?

Apostilles themselves don't expire, but some receiving countries or institutions may require documents to be issued within a certain timeframe (usually 3-6 months). Check with your destination country's requirements.

What if my document is rejected?

Common rejection reasons include submitting photocopies instead of certified copies, incorrect notarization, or documents that don't qualify for apostilles. The issuing office will return your documents with an explanation. Fix the issue and resubmit.

Can I apostille documents from other countries?

No. You can only get U.S. apostilles on documents issued by U.S. authorities. Foreign documents need apostilles from their country of origin or consular legalization at that country's embassy in the U.S.