Every document type has specific requirements, common issues, and routing rules. Select your document type to understand exactly what is needed before you submit.
Different document types have different apostille requirements — from how they must be certified to which authority processes them. Each type below includes what we review and common issues to avoid.
State vital records — apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Commonly required for immigration, citizenship applications, marriage abroad, and international adoption.
Key checks: Issuing state authority, destination country requirements, recency of certificate.
Issued by county clerk or state vital records office. Jurisdiction determines which authority processes the apostille.
Key checks: County-issued vs. state-issued, destination country preference, certified copy vs. original.
Issued by state vital records. Required for estate settlement, pension claims, and property transfers abroad.
Key checks: Issuing state authority, destination country requirements, certificate recency.
Court-issued document requiring clerk certification with court seal before apostille.
Key checks: State and county where divorce was granted, clerk-certified copy with raised or stamped seal.
Must bear authorized institutional signatures (registrar, dean, or president) and institutional seal. Institution must be accredited and recognized by the state.
Key checks: Authorized signatures, institutional seal, state recognition, Original vs. True Copy protocol.
Issued by state, county, family, or probate courts. Requires clerk of court certification with original signature and court seal.
Key checks: Court jurisdiction, clerk certification, correct court seal.
Certificates of Good Standing, Articles of Incorporation, Operating Agreements. May require SOS certification or notarization depending on state.
Key checks: Issuing state, SOS-certified vs. notarized, original hand signature requirements.
Federal document — apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not a Secretary of State. Takes 6–14 business days.
Key checks: Obtained through approved FBI channeler or directly from FBI; notarization requirements vary by source.
Must be notarized before apostille in all states. The apostille comes from the state where the notarization was performed.
Key checks: Active notary commission, state where notarized, destination country requirements.
Any privately notarized document. Apostille confirms the notary's authority — not the document content.
Key checks: Notary commission validity, state where notarized, notary's active status.
Requirements may vary by state and destination country. Not legal advice.
The single most important routing decision is whether your document is state-issued or federal. This determines the issuing authority and processing timeline.
Issued by the Secretary of State (or equivalent) of the issuing state. Processing: 2–20+ business days depending on state.
Issued by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. Processing: 6–14 business days. Cannot be expedited.