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 education?

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

Do I need to notarize my diploma before getting an apostille?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

Can I apostille a photocopy of my diploma?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

How long does it take to apostille academic documents?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Do I need an accreditation letter with my diploma?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Can I use an apostilled U.S. diploma to practice my profession abroad?

Accepted Answer

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.

Apostille for Education

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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