Apostilling Documents for International Adoption is easy as 1-2-3!
1. Download and complete our order form.
2. Mail your original documents and the order form to us.
3. Receive your apostilled documents at your address anywhere in the world!
Please visit Our Services page to begin the process of making your documents legal in a foreign country.
If you plan to adopt a baby from a foreign country, the country of your baby’s origin will request a portfolio of certain documents. These documents need to be apostilled to be legally accepted abroad.
Before you submit your paperwork for apostille, check with your adoption agency for the complete list of all the necessary legal documents, the number of copies, and which of the documents require an apostille. Please refer to a list of most commonly requested documents below:
- Yours and your spouse’s Birth Certificates
- Marriage Certificate
- Approval notice from the immigration service (USCIS)
- Divorce Decree
- Home study
- Financial Statements
- Letter from your employer(s)
- Medical letters
- Police Report and FBI Background Check
The list of requirements can vary depending on the document that needs authentication. Generally, documents submitted for the international adoption apostille must be original, notarized, signed by an official, or be a certified copy. Documents written in a foreign language must be submitted along with a certified (notarized) English translation. If you need assistance with translating your adoption portfolio, please let us know.
Keep in mind that if your document in your international adoption portfolio is issued by one state, an apostille can only be processed in the same state’s jurisdiction. For example, if you need to apostille a birth certificate issued in Texas, the apostille on your birth certificate can only be processed in the State of Texas.
An apostille on international adoption documents can only be issued for use in the countries-members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If you are adopting from a country that is not a member of the Hague Apostille Treaty, you will need to request adoption documents legalization - a special authentication through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., and legalization through the Embassy / Consulate office.
Obtaining an apostille on international adoption documents is a complex process and should always be handled by professionals only. Remember that trusting your important documents to incompetent persons who are unfamiliar with the specifics of each country, may lead you to lost money, and delays of your important business by weeks, or even months. Complicated matters must be handled by experts, and that’s why we recommend that you should let Global Apostille take care of apostilling your international adoption documents.
Questions? Please view our FAQ page or visit Contact Us page.