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Apostille for Education

Whether you are applying to a university abroad, undergoing credential evaluation, or enrolling in a professional program in another country, your academic documents will likely need apostilles. Foreign educational institutions and credential evaluation services require apostilled copies to verify that your U.S. diplomas and transcripts are authentic. We handle the process from review to delivery, ensuring your academic timeline stays on track.

From $149 per document · No hidden fees · Tracked shipping included

Industry's Fastest
24-hour turnaround
Official Apostille
Hague compliant
120+ Countries
Accepted worldwide

50+

States & Territories

120+

Countries Accepted

1-Day

Express Available

100%

Hague Compliant

Documents

Common Documents Needed

Diplomas
Transcripts
Birth Certificates
Accreditation Letters
Notarized Copies of Academic Records
Professional Certifications
Process

Step-by-Step Process

1

Identify Required Documents

Check with the foreign institution or credential evaluation service for their specific requirements. Most require apostilled diplomas and transcripts, and some also require birth certificates or accreditation letters.

2

Determine State or Federal Routing

Academic documents are typically processed at the state level. The apostille must be obtained from the Secretary of State in the state where the document was issued or notarized. Some academic documents may require notarization first.

3

Submit for Review

Upload your academic documents through our portal. We verify notarization requirements, document completeness, and proper formatting before submitting to the appropriate authority.

4

Process Apostille

We submit your documents to the correct state authority and handle all required paperwork. Processing times vary by state, with expedited options available in many jurisdictions.

5

Ship to You

Once complete, your apostilled academic documents are shipped directly to you or your designated institution with full tracking.

Destinations

Common Destination Countries

People commonly need apostilles for education purposes in these countries:

United Kingdom
Germany
Japan
South Korea
France
Italy
Helpful Tips

Tips

University application deadlines are strict - start the apostille process well in advance of submission dates.
Many states require diplomas to be notarized before they can be apostilled. Check your state's requirements early.
Some credential evaluation services (like WES or ECE) have specific formatting requirements for apostilled documents.
If your university has closed or merged, you may need an accreditation letter or verification from the successor institution.
Keep copies of all apostilled documents - you may need them for multiple applications or renewals.
Ready When You Are

Ready to Get Started?

Submit your documents online and we handle the entire apostille process - from document review to state or federal routing to shipping. We process education documents from all 50 states.

Trusted Nationwide · All 50 States + DC

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 works
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about apostilling documents for education.

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.

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 resulting apostilled documents are recognized across Hague Convention countries for almost every common education situation.

The only time you would need to mail the physical original is if the receiving authority specifically requires the original, or requires the apostille to come from the same state that issued the document. If that applies, we offer an Original Document Apostille service and will guide you through it.

Learn more about our digital process →

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.

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.

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.

See full processing time details →

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 full pricing details and add-ons →

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. Browse country-specific guidance →

In most states, yes. Because diplomas are signed by university officials (not government officials), they typically need to be notarized by a commissioned notary public before the Secretary of State can issue an apostille. The notary verifies the document as a true copy or certifies the bearer's identity. Check your specific state's requirements, as some states have different procedures.
You generally cannot apostille a plain photocopy. However, you can have a notary public create a notarized true copy of your diploma, which can then be apostilled. This is a common approach when you want to keep your original diploma intact. Some states and destination countries have specific requirements about this process.
Processing times vary by state. Many states offer same-day or next-business-day processing for in-person submissions, while mail-in requests can take 1-4 weeks. We offer expedited options in many states to meet university deadlines. Plan for at least 2-3 weeks total when including shipping and review time.
Some countries and credential evaluation services require an accreditation verification letter confirming that your institution is accredited by a recognized accrediting body. This is separate from the diploma itself and may also need to be apostilled. Check with the receiving institution for their specific requirements.
An apostille verifies the authenticity of the document but does not automatically grant professional licensure abroad. Each country has its own professional licensing requirements. The apostilled diploma is typically one step in a larger credential evaluation and licensing process. Contact the relevant professional licensing board in your destination country for complete requirements.
Related

Related Resources

Apostille for EmploymentApostille for ImmigrationApostille for Marriage AbroadBirth Certificate ApostilleMarriage Certificate ApostilleDeath Certificate ApostilleDivorce Decree ApostilleApostille by CountryApostille by State

The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements may vary by destination country and are subject to change. For formal legal advice, consult a qualified professional.

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