Apostille by Document Type
Different document types have different apostille requirements - from how they must be certified to which authority processes them. Select your document type below to learn about common issues, what we check during review, and how to avoid delays.
Birth Certificate
- Issuing state and which Secretary of State office processes the apostille
- Destination country requirements and any additional legalization steps needed
Marriage Certificate
- Issuing jurisdiction - whether your certificate was issued by the county clerk or state vital records office
- Destination country requirements and whether county-issued or state-issued certificates are preferred
Death Certificate
- Issuing state and the correct Secretary of State office for processing
- Destination country requirements for death certificates, including recency
Divorce Decree
- Court jurisdiction - the state and county where the divorce was granted
- Whether the document is a clerk-certified copy with the court's raised or stamped seal
Diploma & Transcript
- Whether the issuing institution is accredited and recognized by the state
- Presence of authorized signatures (registrar, dean, president) and institutional seal
Court Order
- Court jurisdiction - the specific court (state, county, family, probate) that issued the order
- Clerk of court certification with original signature and court seal
Corporate Document
- Issuing state and whether the document is SOS-certified or requires notarization
- Whether the document bears an original hand signature (required by many states)
FBI Background Check
- Whether the FBI report was obtained through an approved FBI channeler or directly from the FBI
- Whether the results require notarization before federal authentication (some channelers do, FBI direct does not)
Power of Attorney
- Notarization requirement - POAs must be notarized before apostille in all states
- State where the notarization was performed (the apostille comes from that state)
Notarized Document
- Notary public commission validity - the notary must be active and in good standing
- State where the notarization was performed (determines which Secretary of State issues the apostille)
Related Resources
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements may vary by state and destination country. For formal legal advice, consult a qualified professional.