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Apostille for Immigration

Immigration and residency visa applications often require apostilled U.S. documents. Whether you are applying for permanent residency, a work visa, or citizenship abroad, the receiving country's immigration authority will typically require apostilles on key personal and legal documents. We handle the entire process - from document review to state or federal routing - so your application 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

Birth Certificates
Marriage Certificates
FBI Background Checks
Divorce Decrees
Court Orders
Naturalization Certificates
Process

Step-by-Step Process

1

Identify Required Documents

Review the destination country's immigration authority requirements to determine which documents need apostilles. Common requirements include birth certificates, marriage certificates, FBI background checks, and divorce decrees.

2

Determine State or Federal Routing

Each document must be routed to the correct authority. State-issued documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates) go through the Secretary of State, while federal documents (FBI background checks) go through the U.S. Department of State.

3

Submit for Review

Upload clear, complete scans of your documents through our portal. Our team reviews each document for completeness, proper notarization, and correct formatting before submission to the issuing authority.

4

Process Apostille

We submit your documents to the appropriate state or federal authority for apostille processing. We handle all forms, fees, and follow-up on your behalf.

5

Ship to You

Once your apostilled documents are ready, we ship them directly to you with full tracking. International shipping is available if you need documents sent to your destination country.

Destinations

Common Destination Countries

People commonly need apostilles for immigration purposes in these countries:

Mexico
Germany
Italy
Brazil
Colombia
Philippines
Helpful Tips

Tips

Check your destination country's deadlines early - some immigration authorities require documents apostilled within a specific timeframe (e.g., 6 months).
FBI background checks can expire quickly. Some countries require the FBI report to be dated within 3-6 months, so plan your apostille timing carefully.
Many countries require a certified translation of apostilled documents in addition to the apostille itself.
If you are applying for residency in multiple countries, you may need separate apostilled copies for each application.
Start the apostille process as early as possible - immigration deadlines are often strict and processing times vary by state.
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 immigration 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 immigration.

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 immigration 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Related

Related Resources

Apostille for Marriage AbroadApostille for EmploymentApostille for AdoptionBirth 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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