How to Apostille a Document in the United States
An apostille is a government-issued certificate that authenticates a U.S. document for international use. Whether you need a birth certificate, FBI background check, diploma, or corporate document apostilled, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know — from the step-by-step process to costs, timelines, and common mistakes.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an internationally recognized form of authentication issued by a government authority. It certifies that a document — such as a birth certificate, court order, or notarized agreement — is genuine and carries the proper signature, seal, or stamp of the issuing official. The apostille system was established by the Hague Convention of 1961, and today over 120 countries accept apostilled documents without requiring further embassy or consulate legalization.
In the United States, apostilles for state-issued documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, court orders, notarized documents) are issued by the Secretary of State in the state where the document was issued or notarized. Federal documents (FBI background checks, federal court orders) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
The apostille does not certify the content of the document itself — it only authenticates the signature and seal of the official who signed or certified the document. This distinction is important: an apostille confirms that the document is genuine, not that the information in it is accurate.
State vs. Federal Apostille
State Apostille
State apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State in the state where the document was issued or notarized. This covers the vast majority of documents including birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, court orders, notarized documents, and corporate filings.
- Processing: 5–10 business days (standard)
- Cost: $2–$25 per document
- Expedited: 1–3 business days (most states)
Federal Apostille
Federal apostilles are issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. This applies to documents issued by federal agencies, including FBI background checks (Identity History Summary), federal court orders, and other federal documents.
- Processing: 4–8 weeks (standard)
- Cost: $20 per document
- Expedited: 2–3 weeks
How to Apostille a Document — Step by Step
1. Determine Document Type
Identify whether your document is state-issued (birth certificate, marriage certificate, court order) or federal (FBI background check). This determines which authority will process your apostille.
2. Obtain a Certified Copy
You need a certified copy of your document from the official issuing authority. Photocopies, informational copies, and unofficial versions are not accepted for apostille.
3. Verify Document Requirements
Check that your document has the proper signatures, seals, and certifications. For notarized documents, verify the notary's commission is current and registered in the state.
4. Submit to the Correct Authority
State documents go to the Secretary of State in the issuing state. Federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State. We handle the routing automatically.
5. Pay Processing Fees
Each state has its own fee schedule ($2–$25 per document). Federal apostilles cost $20. Our service fee covers review, submission, and return shipping.
6. Receive Your Apostilled Document
The apostille is attached to your document, making it legally valid in 120+ Hague Convention countries. For non-Hague countries, additional embassy legalization may be needed.
Apostille Costs Explained
State Fees
$2–$25
Per document, varies by state
Federal Fee
$20
FBI background checks & federal docs
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Apostille Guides by Document Type
Birth Certificate Apostille
$2–$25 per document (state fee varies) · 5–10 business days
Marriage Certificate Apostille
$2–$25 per document (state fee varies) · 5–10 business days
Divorce Decree Apostille
$2–$25 per document (state fee varies) · 5–10 business days
Death Certificate Apostille
$2–$25 per document (state fee varies) · 5–10 business days
FBI Background Check Apostille
$20 federal apostille fee · 4–8 weeks (federal processing)
Diploma Apostille
$2–$25 per document (state fee varies) · 5–10 business days
Transcripts Apostille
$2–$25 per document (state fee varies) · 5–10 business days
Power of Attorney Apostille
$2–$25 per document (state fee varies) · 5–10 business days
Corporate Documents Apostille
$2–$25 per document (state fee varies) · 5–10 business days
Notarized Document Apostille
$2–$25 per document (state fee varies) · 5–10 business days
Common Apostille Mistakes to Avoid
State-by-State Coverage
We process apostilles in all 50 states. Each state has its own Secretary of State office with different fees and processing times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an apostille?+
How much does an apostille cost?+
How long does it take to get an apostille?+
What documents can be apostilled?+
Do I need to go in person to get an apostille?+
What's the difference between an apostille and authentication?+
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All 50 States
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Fast Processing
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Your documents are handled with care and full confidentiality.
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