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 business?

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 corporate documents need apostilles for foreign entity registration?

Accepted Answer

The most common documents required for foreign entity registration include articles of incorporation (or certificate of formation for LLCs), a certificate of good standing from the state of incorporation, corporate resolutions authorizing the foreign activity, and powers of attorney designating local representatives. Requirements vary significantly by country, so check with the destination country's commercial registry.

Question 9

Can I apostille a certificate of good standing from any state?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the apostille must come from the Secretary of State in the state that issued the certificate of good standing. If your company is incorporated in Delaware but the good standing certificate was issued by Delaware's Division of Corporations, the apostille must come from the Delaware Secretary of State.

Question 10

How do I apostille a power of attorney for international use?

Accepted Answer

A power of attorney must first be notarized by a commissioned notary public. The notarized POA is then submitted to the Secretary of State in the state where the notary is commissioned for apostille. Make sure the POA covers the specific authorities needed for the international transaction and complies with the destination country's requirements.

Question 11

Do I need to apostille board resolutions for a foreign subsidiary?

Accepted Answer

Many countries require apostilled board resolutions or member resolutions authorizing the establishment of a foreign subsidiary, appointment of directors, or execution of specific transactions. These resolutions typically need to be notarized first. The specific requirements depend on the destination country's commercial law.

Question 12

How quickly can I get corporate documents apostilled?

Accepted Answer

Processing times vary by state. Many states offer same-day or next-business-day processing for corporate documents, especially with expedited service. We offer rush processing in most states to accommodate time-sensitive business transactions. Contact us with your deadline and we will advise on the fastest available option.

Apostille for Business

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

Ready to Get Started?

Never mail your original documents

Frequently Asked Questions

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