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 immigration?

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

Which documents do I need apostilled for immigration?

Accepted Answer

The specific documents depend on your destination country and visa type, but common requirements include birth certificates, marriage certificates, FBI background checks, divorce decrees, and police clearance letters. Always check with the destination country's consulate or immigration authority for their specific list.

Question 9

How long does it take to apostille immigration documents?

Accepted Answer

Processing times vary by state and document type. State-issued documents can often be processed within 1-5 business days with expedited service. FBI background checks require federal processing through the U.S. Department of State, which typically takes longer. We recommend starting at least 4-6 weeks before your immigration deadline.

Question 10

Do I need to get my FBI background check apostilled separately?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FBI background checks are federal documents and must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not a state Secretary of State. This is a separate process from state-issued document apostilles and typically has a different timeline.

Question 11

Can I use apostilled documents for immigration to any country?

Accepted Answer

Apostilles are accepted by countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If your destination country is not a Hague member, you will need an authentication certificate (legalization) instead. We can help determine which process is required for your destination.

Question 12

What if my immigration documents are rejected after apostille?

Accepted Answer

Rejections are rare when documents are properly prepared. Common reasons for rejection abroad include expired documents, missing translations, or the receiving authority requiring a specific document format. Our pre-submission review process is designed to catch issues before they cause problems.

Apostille for Immigration

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

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Never mail your original documents

Frequently Asked Questions

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