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 employment?

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 do I need apostilled for a work visa?

Accepted Answer

The most common documents required for international employment include diplomas or degree certificates, FBI background checks (or state-level background checks), professional licenses or certifications, and birth certificates. Some countries also require medical certificates or proof of work experience. Always check the specific requirements of the destination country's embassy or consulate.

Question 9

I am teaching English abroad. What documents do I need?

Accepted Answer

Most countries hiring English teachers require an apostilled bachelor's degree (at minimum), an apostilled FBI background check, and often a TEFL/TESOL certificate if applicable. South Korea, Japan, China, and Middle Eastern countries are particularly strict about these requirements. Some also require apostilled transcripts.

Question 10

How long is an apostilled FBI background check valid?

Accepted Answer

The validity period is set by the destination country, not by the apostille itself. Most countries accept FBI background checks that are 6-12 months old, but some require them to be within 3 months. Check your destination country's requirements before ordering your FBI check to ensure it will still be valid when you arrive.

Question 11

Can I apostille a professional license from any state?

Accepted Answer

Yes, professional licenses can be apostilled from any state, but they must be processed through the Secretary of State in the state that issued the license. If your license was issued in a different state from where you currently live, we handle the routing to the correct state authority.

Question 12

Do I need to apostille my resume or CV for employment abroad?

Accepted Answer

Resumes and CVs typically do not need apostilles because they are not official documents. However, some countries may require a notarized and apostilled employment verification letter from your previous employer, or a notarized and apostilled copy of specific certifications referenced in your CV.

Apostille for Employment

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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