Clear, current guides for every state and document type. Whether you need a birth certificate apostilled for an OCI card, a diploma authenticated for a work visa, or a marriage certificate for dual citizenship — start here.
An apostille is a standardized certificate that authenticates an official document for use in a foreign country. It was created by the 1961 Hague Convention and is now recognized by 125+ member countries — including India, Mexico, Germany, Italy, France, Brazil, Australia, and most of Europe.
If a foreign government, consulate, employer, or university is asking you to "apostille" a document, they're asking for this specific certification — not a notarization, not a translation, and not an embassy stamp. The apostille confirms that the signature and seal on your document are genuine.
In the United States, apostilles are issued by state-level authorities (typically the Secretary of State) for state-issued documents, and by the U.S. Department of State for federal documents. There is no national apostille office — which is why the process varies by state.
What if my country isn't on the Hague list? →Select your state, document type, and destination country. Get a personalized checklist with the correct authority, current fee, and processing time — in under 30 seconds.
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The apostille process varies by document type. Start with your document to understand what prep is needed before you contact your state's office.
Certified state copy, no notarization needed. The most frequently apostilled document in the U.S.
Issued by county clerk or state vital records. Apostille path varies by state.
Federal document — must go through the U.S. Department of State, not your state SOS.
Requires notarized letter from school official. Cannot apostille the diploma directly.
Must be notarized by a commissioned notary in the issuing state before apostille.
Certified copy from state vital records. Common for international estate and inheritance matters.
Clerk-certified copy from the issuing court. Then apostilled by the state SOS.
Clerk certification required before apostille. Higher fees in some states for court documents.
The documents required and the process vary by why you need the apostille. Find your situation:
Birth certificate apostille for VFS Global OCI submission. India joined the Hague Convention in 2005.
Citizenship by descent or Einbürgerung. Multiple documents typically need apostilles plus sworn translation.
Jure sanguinis applications require apostilles on multiple generations of vital records.
Non-lucrative visa, digital nomad visa, and residency applications require apostilled documents.
Teaching abroad, professional licensing, international employment. FBI background check is common.
University enrollment in Europe, Latin America, and Asia often requires apostilled transcripts and diplomas.
Four steps, regardless of state or document type:
For state-issued documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, notarized documents): contact your state's Secretary of State (or equivalent — Georgia uses GSCCCA). For federal documents (FBI background checks, U.S. State Dept documents): contact the U.S. Department of State. Use our free checklist tool to get the exact office for your situation.
State vital records (birth, death, marriage) don't need notarization — submit the certified copy directly. Notarized documents (powers of attorney, affidavits) need the original with the notary's wet-ink signature and unexpired commission. School documents (diplomas, transcripts) need a notarized letter from a school official. Court documents need clerk certification.
Mail your package or visit in person (if walk-in service is available). Include a cover letter, the correct fee, and a return envelope. State fees range from $1 (Hawaii, Michigan) to $30 (Wisconsin, New Jersey charges $25). Processing times range from same-day (Texas walk-in, GSCCCA Georgia) to 15 business days (some states during peak periods).
The apostille cover sheet will be attached to your original document. Do not separate them. Verify the destination country is listed correctly and the SOS signature/seal is present before submitting to your foreign authority. If a translation is also required, send the apostilled document to a sworn translator — the apostille and original must be translated together.
What to do when your destination country isn't on the Hague list. The chain authentication process explained.
The 8 most common reasons an apostille request is rejected — and how to avoid each one before you submit.
FBI background checks and federal documents don't go to your state SOS. Here's who handles them and how.
The apostille itself doesn't expire — but the destination country might. Country-by-country breakdown.
$15 fee, no notarization, walk-in same day. The one mistake that gets your VFS package rejected.
7–10 business days standard. Two-tier fee structure, exact mailing address, and peak-season delays.
Georgia is the only state that uses a separate authority for apostilles. Here's the decision rule.
Monday and Friday only. What to bring, where to park, and how early to arrive for same-day service.