Apostille Questions, Answered Clearly
Straight answers to the questions people ask most about apostilles, authentication, and document legalization. Each answer is short, factual, and links to where you can go deeper. If your question is not here, call us at (978) 424-4629 and we will answer it.
What an apostille is and how it works
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate that verifies the signature and seal on a public document so another country accepts it as genuine. It was created by the 1961 Hague Convention. Learn more on our apostille services page.
What is an apostille used for?
An apostille makes a U.S. document legally valid abroad, for things like dual citizenship, residency, work and student visas, marriage overseas, adoption, and international business.
What does an apostille look like?
It is a standardized certificate, a printed page or stamp, attached to your document. It lists the country, the official who signed the document, the issuing authority, a date, and a numbered reference.
Do apostilles expire?
The apostille itself does not expire. However, some countries want the document and its apostille to have been issued within a recent window, often three to six months, so check the receiving office's rule.
Who issues apostilles in the US?
State documents are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Federal documents, such as an FBI background check, are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
Is an apostille the same as a certified copy?
No. A certified copy is an official copy issued by the records office. The apostille is added on top of that certified copy to authenticate it for international use.
What is the Secretary of State apostille?
It is an apostille issued by a state's Secretary of State (in Massachusetts, the Secretary of the Commonwealth) for documents issued in that state, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates.
Can an apostille be rejected?
Yes, usually because of the wrong copy, the wrong issuing authority, a missing notarization, or a destination that requires embassy legalization instead. A free document review prevents most rejections.
Cost, timelines, and how to get one
How do I get an apostille?
Get the correct certified copy, complete any required notarization, then submit it to the right state or federal authority. You can do this yourself, or we can handle the whole process. See how it works.
How much does an apostille cost?
Our apostille service starts at $149.95 with the government fee included. Express is $199.95, FBI report apostilles are $199.95, and same-day service in MA and NH is $385.95. See full pricing.
How long does an apostille take?
State documents take one to three weeks on standard service or one to five business days on express. FBI report apostilles take two to six weeks. Same-day service is available for MA and NH documents.
Can I get an apostille myself?
Yes. You can submit your document directly to the appropriate government office. Many people use a service for convenience, speed, and to avoid mistakes that cause rejections and repeat fees.
Can an apostille be done online?
For an FBI report, yes, the whole process is remote. For state documents, you apply online and mail the certified copy, since the state office needs the physical certificate.
Where can I get an apostille near me?
We serve all 50 states from our Tewksbury, Massachusetts office, mostly by mail and email. Same-day, in-person service is available for Massachusetts and New Hampshire documents. Contact us.
Do I need the original document?
You need a certified copy from the issuing office, not the keepsake original and not a photocopy. For an FBI report, the original electronic PDF with its digital signature is what is required.
How do I get a same-day apostille?
Same-day, 24-hour apostille is available for documents issued in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that are apostille-ready and bound for a Hague country. The cost is $385.95. See same-day apostille.
Apostille, notarization, authentication, and legalization
What is the difference between an apostille and a notary?
A notary verifies the identity of a person signing a document. An apostille verifies the official and seal so a foreign country accepts the document. Notarization is sometimes a step before an apostille, not a replacement for it.
What is the difference between apostille and authentication?
An apostille is a single certificate accepted by Hague Convention countries. Authentication, followed by embassy legalization, is the longer process required by countries that are not Hague members.
What is the difference between apostille and legalization?
Legalization is certification by a country's embassy or consulate, required for countries outside the Hague Convention. For member countries, an apostille replaces legalization entirely.
Can a notary apostille a document?
No. A notary cannot issue an apostille. Only a state Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State can issue one. A notary may complete a required notarization beforehand.
Which documents can be apostilled, and how
What documents can be apostilled?
Birth, marriage, and death certificates, FBI background checks, diplomas and transcripts, powers of attorney, corporate documents, and single status affidavits, among others. See the full list on our services page.
How do I apostille a birth certificate?
Get a certified, usually long-form, copy from the state that issued it, and we apostille it through that state. Details on our birth certificate apostille page.
How do I apostille a marriage certificate?
Get a certified copy from the state where you married, even if you now live elsewhere, and we apostille it. See our marriage certificate apostille page.
How do I apostille an FBI background check?
Obtain your FBI Identity History Summary as an electronic PDF, then we apostille it through the U.S. Department of State, completely remotely. See our FBI report apostille page.
How do I apostille a diploma or transcript?
Academic documents usually need to be notarized or certified by the school first, then apostilled by the state. See our transcripts and diplomas page.
Can you apostille a power of attorney?
Yes. A power of attorney is signed and notarized first, then apostilled, so someone can act for you abroad on property, banking, or legal matters.
What is a single status affidavit?
It is a notarized statement that you are legally free to marry, commonly required for weddings abroad. We notarize and apostille it, often alongside a birth certificate.
How do I apostille a death certificate?
Get a certified copy from the state where the death was registered, and we apostille it for estates, pensions, or probate abroad. See our death certificate apostille page.
The Hague Convention, countries, and translations
What countries accept apostilles?
The more than 120 member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention, including most of Europe and Latin America, such as Spain, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Germany, and France.
What is the Hague Convention?
The Hague Apostille Convention is a 1961 international treaty that lets member countries accept a single apostille in place of the longer embassy legalization process.
What if my country is not in the Hague Convention?
Your document needs authentication by the U.S. Department of State followed by legalization at that country's embassy, for example for the United Arab Emirates, China, or Qatar. We handle the full chain. Learn more.
Do I need to translate my document?
Often yes. Many countries require a certified translation alongside the apostille. We provide certified and notarized translation in more than 100 languages and attach it to your order.
How do I apostille a document for Spain, Italy, or Mexico?
These are Hague countries, so you apostille the document and usually add a certified translation. Requirements vary slightly by country, and we confirm them before you order. Ask us.
How do I know if my country requires an apostille?
If your destination is a Hague Convention member, it accepts an apostille. If not, it requires embassy legalization. Tell us the country and we will confirm which one you need.
Ordering, pricing, and policies
How do I order an apostille from you?
Apply online through our application form, or send us a document for a free review first. We confirm the right service and path, then handle the rest.
Is there a free document review?
Yes. Before you pay, we confirm your document is eligible, that you have the correct version, and which path your destination needs. Request a free review.
Do you offer same-day apostille?
Yes, for documents issued in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with guaranteed 24-hour delivery for $385.95. Restrictions apply. See same-day apostille.
Do you serve all 50 states?
Yes. We process documents issued in any U.S. state and the District of Columbia, plus federal documents through the U.S. Department of State. Most clients work with us by mail and email.
Can I track my apostille order?
Yes. Once we receive your documents, you can follow each stage in our online portal, and we notify you by phone at key milestones.
What is your refund policy?
Fees are non-refundable once your order is submitted to the government office, which is why we review every document for free first. Full details are in our terms of agreement.
Are you a government agency?
No. Apostille Depot is a private document preparation and courier service, not affiliated with or operated by any government agency. Apostilles are issued only by the appropriate government authority. See our terms.
Can I apply from outside the United States?
Yes. Many clients apply from abroad. Choose international return shipping when you order, and reach out if you need help getting your document to our office.
Still have a question?
Send us your document for a free review, or call and we will answer it in plain language. We are here to make the apostille process simple.