What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is an official certification issued by a designated authority that confirms the authenticity of a public document for use in another country. It verifies that the signature, seal, or stamp on the document is legitimate and authorized.

Apostilles are recognized under the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, which streamlines the international use of legal documents. If your destination country is not a member of this convention, your document may instead require a certificate of authentication and consular legalization.

What Is the Hague Apostille Convention?

The Hague Apostille Convention of 1961 is an international treaty that simplifies the process of recognizing documents between countries. Instead of going through a full embassy legalization process, member countries accept a standardized apostille certificate as proof of authenticity.

If your document is going to a country that is a member of the Hague Convention, you’ll likely need an apostille. If it's going to a non-member country, you'll need a certificate of authentication and possibly further legalization.

👉 Click here to view the full list of Hague Convention countries

What Is a Certificate of Authentication?

A certificate of authentication is used for countries that do not recognize apostilles. These certificates serve the same purpose — verifying the legitimacy of a public document — but often require additional embassy or consular legalization to be accepted internationally.

At Apostille DC, we assist with both apostilles and certificates for federal documents. If you're unsure which you need, please book a consultation.

Who Issues Apostilles in the U.S.?

• The U.S. Department of State issues apostilles for federal documents (e.g., FBI background checks, FDA documents, DOJ filings, federal court orders).
• State Secretaries of State issue apostilles for state-level documents (e.g., birth certificates, marriage licenses, notarized forms).

Note: We currently handle federal documents only. However, we may assist with state-issued documents on a case-by-case basis. If you are unsure, please schedule a consultation so we can evaluate your situation.

When Do You Need an Apostille or Certificate?

Apostilles and certificates are typically required when U.S. documents will be submitted to a foreign government or institution. Common scenarios include:

• International employment or study
• Visa and immigration processing
• Marriage in another country
• International adoption
• Foreign business registration or contracts