When a U.S. document apostille is required to be used in a foreign country, it may need to be authenticated. An apostille is an internationally recognized form of verification that certifies the authenticity of a public document issued by a government agency. Apostilles can be applied to a wide variety of documents such as school diplomas, marriage certificates, corporate papers and court orders. Apostilles can be used in countries that are members of the Hague Convention on the Legalization of Public Documents.

There are a few different types of apostilles: Authentication Certificates, Apostille Verification and Federal Apostilles. The type of apostille required depends on the country where you plan to use the document. Authentication certificates verify signatures and stamps on important documents such as birth, marriage or death certificates, notarized documents and educational diplomas. Apostilles verify the seal and/or signature of the government agency that issued the document.

Apostille Documents: Everything You Need to Know

Apostilles are a necessary step for many international businesses to complete global transactions. Choosing the right authentication or apostille process is essential, as mistakes could delay a company’s ability to do business abroad.

It is also important to understand the difference between a state and a federal apostille, as they each serve a different purpose. A state apostille is a form of certification that a notary has signed a document and verified the signator’s credentials. If the document is being used in a foreign country, an additional authentication from the U.S. Department of State, Authentications Office is needed. The cost and time frame for this can vary depending on the country in which you plan to use the document.