Common questions
Can you apostille a death certificate issued in Wyoming if I live somewhere else?
Yes. The apostille always comes from the state that issued the document, so a Wyoming death certificate is apostilled in Wyoming regardless of where you live now, including outside the United States. You upload or ship the document to us and we handle the Wyoming filing.
Do I have to mail my Wyoming death certificate?
Not always. True Copy processing starts with a clear upload and is the faster path for most death certificate orders. Original Document Processing is for destinations that require the apostille attached to the original; in that case you ship the document to us and transit time is separate from processing.
Can I apostille a death certificate if the person died years ago?
Yes. There is no time limit on when a death certificate can be apostilled. However, the certified copy itself may need to be recently issued depending on the destination country's requirements. You can order a new certified copy from the vital records office of the state where the death occurred, even decades later.
What's the difference between a death certificate from the funeral home and one from vital records?
The funeral home may provide a preliminary or informational document, but only the certified copy issued by the state or county vital records office carries the registrar's signature and seal required for an apostille. Always use the version from vital records.
How many apostilled copies of a death certificate should I order?
We recommend at least 2-3 apostilled certified copies if you're dealing with estate matters abroad. Banks, property registries, pension funds, and courts may each require an original. Having multiple copies avoids weeks of delay if one institution retains the document.
Can I apostille a death certificate for someone who was not a U.S. citizen?
Yes, as long as the death occurred in the United States and the death certificate was issued by a U.S. state or territory. The citizenship of the deceased does not affect the apostille process - what matters is that the document was issued by a U.S. authority.
Is an apostilled death certificate sufficient for claiming inheritance abroad?
An apostilled death certificate is typically one of several documents needed for international inheritance claims. You may also need apostilled copies of a will, letters testamentary, court orders, or birth/marriage certificates proving your relationship to the deceased. We can help you identify and process all the documents you need.