Question 1

What is an apostille?

Accepted Answer

An apostille is a certificate issued by a designated U.S. authority (a Secretary of State) that authenticates a U.S. document for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Question 2

Do I need to send my original documents?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, no. You upload clear color scans of your documents through our secure portal. Our licensed notary certifies that the printed copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original, and a U.S. Secretary of State issues the apostille on the notary-certified true copy. Your originals never have to leave your possession. The only time you would need to mail the physical original is if the receiving authority in your destination country specifically requires the original document or specifically requires the apostille to come from the same state that issued the document.

Question 3

How can you process an apostille with just a digital scan?

Accepted Answer

Our process uses a U.S.-licensed notary who certifies that a printed copy made from your scan is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document. A U.S. Secretary of State then issues the apostille on the notary-certified true copy. The apostille authenticates the notary's seal and signature, which is exactly what the Hague Convention recognizes. Because we work from a scan, your original never has to leave your possession, processing is significantly faster than mailing physical documents back and forth, and there is no risk of your original being lost or damaged in transit.

Question 4

Do my documents need notarization before the apostille?

Accepted Answer

Government-issued vital records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates) typically do not require additional notarization before apostille. Private documents such as powers of attorney, school transcripts, and personal affidavits do need to be notarized first, because the apostille is issued on the notary's certification rather than on the document itself. If your documents need notarization, we can handle it as part of your order through our remote online notary add-on.

Question 5

How long does it take to get documents apostilled for adoption?

Accepted Answer

Our digital process completes Economy orders in 4-6 business days, Standard in 2-3 business days, and Express in 1 business day. Shipping time is separate from processing time.

Question 6

How much does an apostille cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on the processing tier you choose. Economy starts at $149 per document, Standard at $197, and Express (1 business day) at $249. All tiers include document review, notarized true copy, state apostille, and tracked domestic shipping. See our pricing page for full details and add-ons.

Question 7

Which countries accept apostilles?

Accepted Answer

Over 120 countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention accept apostilles. This includes most of Europe, South America, and many countries in Asia and Africa. If your destination country is not a member of the Hague Convention, you may need embassy legalization instead of an apostille.

Question 8

What documents are required for an international adoption apostille?

Accepted Answer

International adoption dossiers typically require apostilles on birth certificates (for both parents), marriage certificates, FBI background checks (for both parents), home study reports, financial statements or employment verification letters, medical examination reports, and court orders. The exact list depends on the destination country and your adoption agency's requirements.

Question 9

How does the Hague Convention affect adoption apostille requirements?

Accepted Answer

The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption establishes standards for international adoptions between member countries. For Hague adoptions, your documents must be apostilled to meet both the Hague Convention requirements and the specific receiving country's requirements. Your adoption service provider (accredited by the U.S. government) will guide you on the specific documentation requirements.

Question 10

Can I apostille my home study for international adoption?

Accepted Answer

Yes, home study reports typically need to be apostilled as part of your adoption dossier. The home study must first be properly notarized, then the notarized document is submitted for apostille through the Secretary of State in the state where the notary is commissioned. Your adoption agency may have specific requirements about how the home study should be prepared for apostille.

Question 11

How long does it take to apostille a full adoption dossier?

Accepted Answer

A full adoption dossier can take 2-6 weeks to process, depending on the number of documents, the states involved, and whether federal documents (like FBI background checks) are included. We recommend starting 6-8 weeks before your agency's submission deadline. We offer expedited processing to help meet tight adoption timelines.

Question 12

Do both parents need separate apostilled documents for adoption?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases both parents need their own apostilled birth certificates and FBI background checks. Marriage certificates, home studies, and financial documents may be shared documents but still need apostilles. Your adoption agency will specify which documents need to be individual and which can be joint.

Apostille for Adoption

Common Documents Needed

Step-by-Step Process

Identify Required Documents

Determine State or Federal Routing

Submit for Review

Process Apostille

Ship to You

Common Destination Countries

Tips

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Never mail your original documents

Frequently Asked Questions

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