Do Apostilles Expire?
An apostille certificate has no built-in expiration date. The underlying document keeps its own issue date.
An apostille certificate has no built-in expiration date. It authenticates the qualifying signature, seal, or notarial certification on the document presented for apostille.
The Apostille Date and Document Date
These are separate dates printed or recorded for different purposes.
Apostille issue date
The apostille records when the authentication certificate was issued.
Document issue date
The underlying document may carry its own issue, signature, certification, or filing date.
A receiving organization may set its own date requirements for the underlying document.
No Public Freshness Matrix
Check the receiving organization's current instructions for the underlying document.
Public document-date guidance
| Topic | Public guidance |
|---|---|
| Apostille certificate | No built-in expiration date. Compare processing paths |
| Underlying document | Keeps the date shown on the document. What to submit |
Last verified: June 2026
Process a Newly Issued Document
If you obtain a newly issued document, it can be submitted as a new order.
Choose True Copy State, Original Document, or Federal Apostille processing and submit the corresponding file or physical document.
Start a new orderNever 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 worksApostille Date Questions
No. An apostille certificate has no built-in expiration date.
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Process Your Document
Choose a service path and submit the document you want apostilled.
Apostilles.us is an independent service provider. Receiving organizations set their own document requirements.