Court Order Apostille
Court orders - including custody orders, adoption decrees, name change orders, guardianship orders, and judgments - often need to be apostilled for enforcement or recognition in foreign jurisdictions. International custody disputes, cross-border adoptions, and foreign legal proceedings require authenticated court documents to establish jurisdiction and legal authority. Because court orders come from specific courts with specific certification requirements, ensuring the document is properly clerk-certified before submission is critical to a successful apostille.
Court Order Apostille Services
- Digital process: Upload a clear scan of your court order. Our licensed notary certifies a true copy, a U.S. Secretary of State issues the apostille, and we ship the apostilled document back to you with tracking.
- Fast turnaround: Economy in 4-6 business days, Standard in 2-3 days, Express in 1 business day.
- International ready: Recognized across 120+ Hague Convention countries. Your original court order never has to leave your possession.
Why Choose Us
Expert court order review
Every court order is reviewed by our team before processing. We catch eligibility issues, missing pages, and state-specific gotchas upfront so your apostille is not rejected.
Get a free reviewFast turnaround options
From 1-business-day Express to economy standard, we offer flexible processing speeds to match any deadline.
View processing timesEnd-to-end digital service
From scan upload to notarized true copy to state apostille to tracked shipping. We handle the entire process so you don't have to.
See requirementsProcessing Timelines
Priority ExpressExpress
As fast as 1 business day
Standard PriorityStandard
2-3 business days
Economy StandardEconomy
4-6 business days
State processing can be as fast as 1 business day for eligible requests. Shipping time is separate from processing time. If you need your apostilled court order for international use, submit your request as early as possible to allow for both processing and delivery.
View full processing time detailsHow It Works
Three simple steps from upload to delivery. We handle all the complexity.
Upload Your Scan
Submit a clear color scan of your court order through our secure portal. We review it for eligibility and accuracy before anything moves forward.
We Handle Everything
Our licensed notary certifies a true copy of your court order, then a U.S. Secretary of State issues the apostille on the notary-certified true copy.
Receive Your Apostille
Your apostilled court order is shipped directly to you with full tracking. Domestic and international delivery available.
Common Issues with Court Order Apostilles
Uncertified Copies Are the Most Common Problem
Attorneys often provide clients with file-stamped copies of court orders, which are not the same as clerk-certified copies. A certified copy must include a separate certification page (or stamp) from the clerk of court confirming the document is a true and complete copy of the original on file. Without this certification, the Secretary of State cannot apostille the document.
Missing or Illegible Court Seal
The clerk's certification must include the court's official seal. Older documents may have faded embossed seals that are no longer legible. If the Secretary of State cannot verify the seal, the document will be returned. You may need to obtain a fresh certified copy from the clerk's office.
State-Specific Certification Requirements
Different states have different requirements for what constitutes a properly certified court document. Some states require the clerk's signature to be on file with the Secretary of State. Others require an intermediate authentication from the county clerk before the state can apostille. We know the requirements for every state.
Interim vs. Final Orders
Temporary restraining orders, interim custody arrangements, and pendente lite orders are not final judgments. While they can technically be apostilled, many foreign authorities will only accept final orders. Make sure you're submitting the correct version of the court's ruling.
Never mail your original documents
We process apostilles from a notarized true copy of your uploaded scan. Your birth certificate, diploma, or FBI report never leaves your hands, so it can never be lost in the mail.
How true copy processing worksFrequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements may vary by state and destination country. For formal legal advice, consult a qualified professional.