Professional Apostille Services for Documents Used Abroad
Your Document Is Going Overseas. We Help Get It Ready to Go.
International document requirements can become complicated quickly.
A document may need notarization.
A certified copy.
A state apostille.
Federal authentication.
Apostille under the Hague Convention.
Or, depending on the destination and document, another form of certification or legalization.
U.S. Notary Authority provides professional apostille and document authentication services for individuals, families, businesses, attorneys and organizations preparing U.S. documents for international use.
From vital records and academic documents to corporate records, powers of attorney and federal background checks, we help clients navigate the certification process from the United States to the document's intended destination.
One document. One destination. The right process from the beginning.
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What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is a form of authentication used for certain public documents being presented in another country that participates in the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
The Apostille Convention simplifies the traditional legalization process by replacing additional diplomatic or consular legalization requirements between participating jurisdictions with a standardized certificate issued by the appropriate competent authority.
The apostille does not certify whether the underlying contents of a document are true.
Instead, it authenticates specific aspects of the public document, such as the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the signer acted and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp attached to the document.
In the United States, the authority that issues the apostille depends heavily on who issued or notarized the document.
That's where many people get stuck.
Apostille vs. Notarization
They Are Not the Same Thing.
This is one of the most common sources of confusion.
Notarization
A notary performs an authorized notarial act involving a signer or record.
Depending on the act, this may involve identity verification, acknowledgment, witnessing a signature, or administering an oath or affirmation.
Apostille
An apostille is an authentication certificate issued by an appropriate government authority for qualifying public documents intended for use abroad under the Apostille Convention.
Some documents require notarization before apostille.
Others should not be notarized at all because the proper apostille attaches to the certified public record itself.
That distinction matters.
Improperly preparing the document at the beginning can create delays, rejection or unnecessary expense later.
U.S. Notary Authority
Critical documents. Handled.
Professional notarization for individuals, families and organizations—with online, mobile, in-person, specialized and international document solutions available through one trusted resource.
International authentication is increasingly becoming digital.
The HCCH's electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP) supports electronic apostilles and electronic registers, and participating authorities continue implementing these systems. The HCCH has published multiple e-APP implementation notifications during 2026 alone.
However, electronic availability is not universal.
Whether an e-Apostille is available or appropriate depends on the issuing authority, destination, document and receiving organization.
Apostille Services for Individuals & Families
International document authentication is often associated with major life events.
You may be:
Applying for dual citizenship.
Getting married abroad.
Moving to another country.
Handling an inheritance.
Buying foreign property.
Working overseas.
Adopting internationally.
Registering a child.
Managing family affairs abroad.
Or authorizing someone to act for you in another country.
You shouldn't have to learn an entire international certification system simply because one agency told you:
"This document needs an apostille."
Tell us what you have and where it's going.
We'll help you navigate the process.
Apostille Services for Attorneys & Law Firms
Law firms frequently handle matters involving documents that must cross international borders.
These can involve:
International litigation
Powers of attorney
Estate matters
Corporate transactions
Foreign property
Family-law matters
Court records
Sworn statements
Client documents
Business records
U.S. Notary Authority provides apostille and authentication support designed to reduce the administrative work involved in preparing eligible documents for international use.
Your firm handles the legal matter.
We help handle the document authentication workflow.
Apostille Services for Businesses
International business routinely requires authenticated records.
U.S. Notary Authority supports companies preparing documents for:
Foreign subsidiaries
Banking
Corporate registration
International transactions
Licensing
Legal representation
Foreign property
Powers of attorney
Cross-border commercial matters
Organizations with recurring volume can contact us regarding business apostille solutions.
Apostille Services for Universities, Students & Professionals
Academic credentials often need authentication before they can be accepted abroad.
Students and professionals may require apostilles for:
Diplomas
Transcripts
Degrees
Academic letters
Supporting education records
Requirements vary by document and destination.
How Our Apostille Service Works
1. Tell Us About the Document
Provide the document type, issuing jurisdiction and destination country.
2. We Identify the Appropriate Path
We determine whether the document appears to require:
Apostille
Authentication
Additional document preparation
Prior notarization
Federal processing
State processing
Another applicable certification step
3. Prepare the Document
If the document is not yet in an acceptable form, we'll identify what needs to happen before authentication can proceed.
4. Submit for the Appropriate Certification
The document proceeds through the relevant government authentication process.
5. Return the Completed Document
Once processing is complete, the authenticated document is returned according to the selected service arrangement.
Start with the document. End with an international-ready authentication process.
How Long Does an Apostille Take?
Processing times depend on several variables:
Issuing jurisdiction
Government processing time
Document type
Whether the document is already properly prepared
Shipping
Federal versus state processing
Service level
Government closures or delays
That's why we do not recommend assuming that every apostille takes the same amount of time.
If you have a deadline, tell us before you submit the order.
Why U.S. Notary Authority for Apostille Services?
Because apostille service should be more than forwarding an envelope.
International documents involve an intersection of:
Notarization
Government authentication
Document preparation
Jurisdiction
Destination-country requirements
Shipping
Deadlines
Receiving-party expectations
U.S. Notary Authority combines apostille and authentication service with professional notarization capabilities so clients can handle more of the document workflow through one resource.
Personal Documents
Vital records, affidavits, powers of attorney and family documents.
Business Documents
Corporate records, certificates, resolutions and commercial documents.
Academic Documents
Diplomas, transcripts and related credentials.
Legal Documents
Court records, affidavits, powers of attorney and attorney-prepared documents.
Federal Documents
Including eligible federal records requiring federal authentication.
International Guidance
Country-focused resources designed around where the document is ultimately being presented.
One document provider. One clear path forward.
Do I Need an Apostille or Authentication?
The answer depends primarily on:
What document you have
Where the document originated
Who signed or issued it
Where the document will be used
Apostilles generally apply when the destination is covered by the Hague Apostille Convention for the relevant relationship.
Documents headed to destinations outside that process may require a different authentication or legalization workflow.
The current HCCH status table should be checked for the specific destination because Convention participation and relationships can change over time. For example, Algeria's accession entered into force on July 9, 2026.
You do not need to become an expert in international document authentication just to submit one document.
That's what we're here for.
Apostille Services for Common Document Types
U.S. Notary Authority supports apostille and authentication workflows for many commonly requested personal, legal, academic and business records.
Birth Certificate Apostille
Birth certificates are among the most commonly apostilled vital records.
They may be needed for matters involving:
Dual citizenship
Marriage abroad
Immigration-related processes
International adoption
Foreign residency
Education
Family matters
International legal proceedings
The correct process depends on where the birth certificate was issued and whether the copy you possess is suitable for authentication.
A photocopy of a birth certificate should not simply be assumed to be apostille-ready.
Marriage Certificate Apostille
A marriage certificate may need an apostille for:
Dual citizenship
Spousal matters abroad
Foreign residency
Name-related proceedings
International legal matters
Family registration
Immigration processes
The issuing jurisdiction and type of record determine the appropriate authentication route.
Death Certificate Apostille
Death certificates may require international authentication for inheritance, estate administration, foreign property, insurance, pension or other cross-border matters.
The document must generally be in the form required by the issuing authority before it can proceed through the appropriate apostille process.
Divorce Decree Apostille
Divorce decrees and court records may require authentication for remarriage abroad, immigration, citizenship, foreign court proceedings or other international matters.
Court-issued records can have specific certification requirements before authentication.
FBI Background Check Apostille
An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document, which is an important distinction.
Federal records do not follow the same apostille route as ordinary state-issued or state-notarized documents.
The U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications handles apostilles and authentication certificates for qualifying federal documents.
FBI background checks are commonly required for:
Work abroad
Immigration
Residency
Visas
Foreign licensing
Teaching abroad
International adoption
Citizenship matters
State Background Check Apostille
State-level criminal background checks generally follow the authentication process applicable to the state issuing the record.
The exact workflow can vary by jurisdiction and document format.
Diploma & Transcript Apostille
Students and professionals may need authenticated academic credentials for:
Studying abroad
Foreign employment
Professional licensing
Immigration
Teaching positions
University admissions
Credential evaluation
Academic documents can require additional preparation before an apostille can be issued, depending on how the document was created and certified.
Power of Attorney Apostille
A power of attorney intended for use abroad frequently requires careful preparation.
The notarization, state of execution, destination country and receiving authority may all affect the authentication process.
International powers of attorney are commonly used for:
Foreign property transactions
Banking
Estate matters
Family matters
Business transactions
Legal representation abroad
If the POA still needs to be notarized, U.S. Notary Authority can also help determine the appropriate notarization workflow before authentication.
Corporate Document Apostille
Businesses routinely need documents authenticated for international transactions.
Eligible records may include:
Articles of incorporation
Certificates of good standing
Corporate resolutions
Powers of attorney
Business affidavits
Agreements
Certificates
Formation records
Other corporate documents
Pennsylvania specifically identifies business records such as articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing and bylaws among the documents commonly authenticated for international use.
Court Document Apostille
Court records may require apostilles or other authentication for foreign litigation, family-law matters, citizenship, inheritance or other international proceedings.
Certification requirements can vary depending on the court and issuing authority.
Adoption Document Apostille
International adoption packages can involve numerous records requiring authentication.
Pennsylvania specifically identifies adoption-related documents among common international authentication requests.
Depending on the case, documents may include:
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Home studies
References
Court records
Medical documents
Affidavits
Other supporting records
Pennsylvania Apostille Services
Documents Originating in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's Department of State authenticates qualifying Pennsylvania public documents for international use.
The Commonwealth explains that its authentication confirms the official status, signature and seal of the Pennsylvania public official associated with the document.
Examples may include qualifying:
Notarized documents
Vital records
Business records
Court-related records
Academic documents
Adoption records
Other Pennsylvania public documents
Pennsylvania currently uses a universal single-certificate format for its authentication process.
If your document originated in Pennsylvania, we'll help determine whether it is properly prepared for submission.
Documents From Other U.S. States
A document generally follows the authentication process associated with the jurisdiction where the underlying public official or notarial authority is located.
That means:
A New York document may require New York processing.
A Texas document may require Texas processing.
A Florida document may require Florida processing.
A California document may require California processing.
And so on.
This is why the destination country alone does not determine where the apostille comes from.
The document's origin matters too.
U.S. Notary Authority can support apostille workflows involving documents from multiple U.S. jurisdictions, subject to the requirements applicable to each document.
Federal Apostille & Authentication Services
Federal Documents Follow a Different Path.
Some documents originate with the federal government rather than a state authority.
These can require processing through the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications rather than a state Secretary of State or equivalent authority. The Department currently issues both apostilles and authentication certificates for qualifying documents used abroad.
Common federal-document situations can include:
FBI background checks
Certain federal agency records
Documents signed by qualifying federal officials
Other federal public documents
Apostille for Hague Convention Countries
The Hague Apostille Convention was created to simplify the authentication of public documents used internationally.
When the Convention applies between the relevant jurisdictions, an apostille generally replaces the older chain of diplomatic or consular legalization.
The HCCH maintains the official status table identifying Contracting Parties and relevant effective dates.
U.S. Notary Authority is building dedicated country guidance so clients can navigate international document requirements more easily.
Explore Apostille Services by Destination
What If the Destination Does Not Use the Apostille Process?
Not every international document is resolved by an apostille.
Depending on the destination and document, a different authentication or legalization process may apply.
That can involve additional government certification or consular/embassy steps.
Apostille and legalization are not interchangeable.
Using the wrong workflow can result in wasted time and a document the receiving organization still cannot use.
Apostille vs. Embassy Legalization
Two International Document Paths. Different Circumstances.
An apostille is associated with the Hague Apostille Convention process.
Embassy or consular legalization can arise where that simplified process does not govern the particular document relationship.
The exact chain depends on:
Document type
Origin jurisdiction
Destination
Government requirements
Receiving authority
U.S. Notary Authority can help route your request toward the appropriate service.
Can U.S. Notary Authority Notarize My Document Before Apostille?
Yes, for eligible documents and notarial acts within the scope of our notary services.
Depending on the circumstances, notarization may be available:
Online
Through Remote Online Notarization where legally and practically appropriate.
Mobile
At your location throughout our designated Pennsylvania mobile service area.
In Person
Through available traditional notarization appointments.
If your end goal is international use, tell us before the notarization.
The easiest apostille problem to solve is the one we prevent before the document is signed.
Electronic Apostilles & e-Apostilles
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Frequently Asked Questions
About Apostilles
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An apostille is a standardized certificate used under the Hague Apostille Convention to authenticate certain public documents for use in another participating jurisdiction.
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No.
Notarization is a notarial act performed by a notary.
An apostille is issued by an authorized government authority to authenticate specified aspects of a public document for international use.
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The issuing authority depends on the document.
In the United States, qualifying state documents are generally handled through the appropriate state authority, while qualifying federal records may be authenticated through the U.S. Department of State.
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No. A commissioned notary performs notarial acts.
The apostille itself is issued by the appropriate governmental competent authority.
An apostille service provider can facilitate the process but does not personally create the government apostille.
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No.
Some private documents may require notarization first, while certified public documents may proceed based on the official signature already attached to the record.
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Yes, qualifying birth records are commonly apostilled for international use.
The correct procedure depends on the issuing jurisdiction and form of the certificate.
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Yes, qualifying marriage records are commonly authenticated for international use.
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Qualifying FBI records are federal documents and generally follow the federal authentication route rather than an ordinary state process.
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Yes, academic credentials can be prepared for international authentication, but additional certification or notarization may be required depending on the document and jurisdiction.
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Yes, qualifying powers of attorney are frequently apostilled for foreign use after appropriate execution and notarization requirements have been satisfied.
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Yes. Qualifying corporate records are commonly authenticated for international business matters.
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The answer generally depends on the jurisdiction associated with the public official, notary or issuing authority whose signature is being authenticated.
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An apostille itself generally certifies the underlying public document at the time of issuance, but the receiving authority may impose its own recency or document-age requirements.
Always confirm requirements with the organization receiving the document.
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No.
An apostille authenticates specified elements of the public document. It does not force a receiving organization to accept the document for every substantive purpose.
The recipient may have separate requirements.
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The correct process depends on the destination, document and applicable international relationship.
Some destinations use the Hague Apostille process, while others may involve a different authentication or legalization workflow.
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Potentially, depending on the issuing authority, document format and applicable authentication process.
Electronic-document acceptance should be verified rather than assumed.
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Yes.
U.S. Notary Authority also provides professional notarization services and can help determine whether notarization is part of the appropriate preparation process for the requested document.
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