Apostille or authentication — based on destination country

If your document will be used in a Hague Convention country, you typically need an apostille. Otherwise, you typically need an authentication certificate and may need additional consular steps.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a certificate issued under the 1961 Hague Convention that authenticates the origin of a public document. It replaces the traditional chain of authentication (legalization) with a single certificate recognized by all member countries.

If your destination country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you'll need authentication through the U.S. Department of State, followed by legalization at the destination country's embassy or consulate.

We determine the correct path automatically based on where your document will be used.

When people need this

School enrollment abroad
Work visas and immigration
Dual citizenship paperwork
Marriage abroad
Business transactions
International banking
Legal proceedings abroad
Property purchases overseas

What we'll ask for

Destination country

Where the document will be used

Document type

Birth certificate, diploma, POA, corporate docs, etc.

Issuing location

Where the document was issued (state/country)

Notarization details

If applicable, whether the document is already notarized

Frequently Asked Questions

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