Don't risk delays — incorrect or incomplete documents are the #1 cause of apostille processing setbacks.
Immigration deadlines, court filing dates, and foreign government requirements are time-sensitive. Submit your documents correctly the first time to avoid costly delays.
Who Needs Personal Document Authentication?
- Individuals relocating or retiring abroad who need authenticated vital records
- Couples planning destination weddings or registering U.S. marriages overseas
- Parents handling international adoptions or cross-border custody matters
- Dual citizens needing apostilled identity documents for foreign government agencies
- Individuals applying for foreign residency permits, work visas, or citizenship
- Families settling estates or inheritance matters with international beneficiaries
Required Documents
- State-issued certified birth certificate (from vital records office, not hospital)
- Certified marriage certificate or marriage license from county clerk
- Certified divorce decree or dissolution of marriage from court clerk
- State-issued death certificate (for estate or inheritance matters)
- Court-issued name change orders
- Adoption decrees or court orders
Common Causes of Rejection
- Hospital-issued birth certificates cannot be apostilled — must be state-issued certified copies
- Decorative, commemorative, or church marriage certificates are not eligible
- Documents issued by foreign governments cannot receive a U.S. apostille
- Expired, damaged, or photocopied documents will be rejected by the Secretary of State
Apostille vs. Notarization
A notarization only verifies a signer's identity. An apostille is a government-issued certificate that authenticates a document for international legal use in 120+ Hague Convention countries. Most foreign governments require an apostille — a notarization alone is not sufficient.
How Long Does It Really Take?
State apostilles typically take 3–10 business days. Federal documents (FBI checks) take 4–8 weeks standard. We offer expedited processing that can reduce most state apostilles to 1–3 days. Every order includes real-time status updates.
Have Your Documents Ready?
Submit your documents for apostille processing today. Our team reviews every submission to ensure it meets state and federal requirements — avoiding rejections and unnecessary delays.
Free document review included — we check your documents before processing to prevent rejections.
How the Apostille Process Works
Identify Required Personal Documents
Determine which vital records need apostille based on the destination country's specific requirements. Common documents include state-issued birth certificates, certified marriage licenses, and court-issued divorce decrees.
Submit Certified Copies for Review
Send us your original certified copies. We verify each document meets the issuing state's requirements for apostille processing — including proper seals, signatures, and certification formatting.
State Secretary of State Apostille
We submit your personal documents to the Secretary of State in the state that issued the document. Each state has its own processing office, fees, and timeline — we manage everything on your behalf.
Secure Return with Tracking
Your apostilled personal documents are returned via insured, trackable shipping. We provide confirmation once your documents have been certified and dispatched.
Before You Submit — Avoid Delays & Rejections
What We Accept
- • Original or certified copies only
- • Documents with official seals/stamps
- • Properly notarized documents
- • Government-issued vital records
- • Active, non-expired documents
Common Rejections
- • Photocopies or scans (no originals)
- • Hospital birth certificates
- • Decorative/commemorative certificates
- • Unsigned or unnotarized documents
- • Foreign-issued documents
How to Avoid Delays
- • Include destination country details
- • Verify document recency requirements
- • Use certified copies, not originals you can't replace
- • Include all pages of multi-page documents
- • Request rush processing for tight deadlines
Not sure if your document qualifies? Submit it and our team will review it for free — we'll let you know before processing.
Not sure where to start? Contact us and we'll walk you through the requirements for your specific document and destination country.
Start Apostille OrderFrequently Asked Questions
What personal documents can be apostilled in the United States?+
Can I apostille a hospital-issued birth certificate?+
Do personal documents need notarization before apostille?+
Can I apostille a marriage certificate from a different state than where I live?+
How long does a personal document apostille take?+
Why Choose 1Apostille
All 50 States
Nationwide coverage — we process apostilles from every U.S. state and the federal government.
Immigration Experts
Thousands of immigration documents processed for USCIS, consulates, and foreign agencies.
Transparent Process
Real-time order tracking, upfront pricing, and clear timelines — no surprises.
Document Care
Every document is handled securely with tracking, insurance, and careful processing.
Don't Wait — Start Your Apostille Order Today
Immigration deadlines, court filings, and international requirements don't wait. Our team processes thousands of apostille orders every year — let us handle yours.