What is an Apostille?
An "apostille" is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. If the country of intended use does not participate in the Hague Convention, documents being sent to that country can obtain a Certificate of Authentication.
The Office of the Secretary of State provides apostille and authentication service to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals on documents that will be used overseas. Types of documents include corporate documents such as company bylaws and articles of incorporation, power of attorney, diplomas, transcripts, letters relating to degrees, marital status, references and job certifications, home studies, deeds of assignments, distributorship agreements, papers for adoption purposes, etc. The U.S. State Department provides general information about document authentications and apostilles under the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961.
For document types, and where to obtain them, please visit Washington Secretary of State Apostille Document Guidelines.
How Can We Help?
Obtaining an Apostille or authentication for use in a foreign country can be time consuming and confusing. There is often very specific government requirements for each kind of document, and multiple steps for both obtaining these documents and meeting the authentication requirements.
We take steps on your behalf to make certain your apostille is correctly executed for both the county of document origination, and country of its final destination. We act as courier in the event the apostille is time sensitive, and handle the shipping to and from all parties involved.