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Apostille for Employment

Working abroad requires properly authenticated documents. Whether you are applying for a work visa, seeking professional licensure in another country, or fulfilling employer requirements for an international posting, apostilled documents are typically mandatory. Employers and government agencies abroad need to verify your qualifications, identity, and background - and apostilles make that verification legally recognized across Hague Convention countries.

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
FBI Background Checks
Professional Licenses
Birth Certificates
Teaching Certificates
Notarized Employment Letters
Process

Step-by-Step Process

1

Identify Required Documents

Review your employer's requirements and the destination country's work visa application checklist. Common requirements include apostilled diplomas, background checks, professional licenses, and birth certificates.

2

Determine State or Federal Routing

Diplomas and professional licenses are typically state-level documents. FBI background checks are federal documents processed through the U.S. Department of State. We determine the correct routing for each document.

3

Submit for Review

Upload your documents through our portal. We review each document for proper notarization, completeness, and compliance with the destination country's requirements.

4

Process Apostille

We submit your documents to the appropriate state or federal authority. For time-sensitive employment deadlines, expedited processing is available in many states.

5

Ship to You

Apostilled documents are shipped to you with tracking. International shipping is available if you need documents delivered to your employer or the consulate abroad.

Destinations

Common Destination Countries

People commonly need apostilles for employment purposes in these countries:

South Korea
Japan
China
Saudi Arabia
Germany
United Kingdom
Helpful Tips

Tips

Teaching positions abroad (especially in South Korea, Japan, and China) almost always require apostilled diplomas and FBI background checks.
FBI background checks are federal documents - they cannot be apostilled by a state Secretary of State and must go through the U.S. Department of State.
Some countries require professional licenses to be notarized before apostille. Verify your state's requirements.
Work visa deadlines are often tight - start the apostille process as soon as you receive your job offer.
If your employer requires multiple documents, submit them all at once to save time and shipping costs.
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 employment 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 employment.

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 employment 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 →

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Related

Related Resources

Apostille for EducationApostille for ImmigrationApostille for BusinessBirth 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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