Apostille and authentication of documents issued by the U.S. Federal government for use in a foreign country
Do you have a document issued by a United States of America government authority that needs to be used in another country?* Find examples of documents, which can be authenticated through the U.S. Department of State here.
* Apostille is not valid for use anywhere within the United States of America, its territories or possessions. If your document is going to be used in the U.S. only, please contact the authorities that issued the document or your local government authorities to inquire about additional certification for the document to be used in the U.S.
Step 1. Details about your document:
- Is the document an original or a certified copy?
- If yes, then go to Step 2.
- If no, then you will have to obtain an original or a certified copy to continue this process.
Step 2. Where was the document issued?
- Was the document issued by the U.S. Federal government?
- If yes, then go to Step 3.
- If no, then:
- Is it a corporate or a personal document that is signed and notarized by a licensed notary public and has an apostille or certification from one of the states?
- If yes, then go to Step 3.
- If no, then you will need to have the document signed and make sure it is notarized by a licensed notary public and have an apostille or certification. Follow instructions on the U.S. Apostille page.
- Was it issued by one of the 50 U.S. States or by the District of Columbia (has an official stamp/seal)?
- If yes, then go to U.S. Apostille page.
Step 3. Country of destination:
Is the country where the document will be used included in this list?
- If yes, then your document will require an apostille. Go to Step 4 and follow instructions.
- If the country is NOT on this list, then:
- Does your document have a U.S. Secretary of State certification?
- If yes, then go to Step 4.
- If no, then go to Certification page and follow instructions.
- If you are not sure, please go to Step 6.
Step 4. Review the documents:
Before mailing us your documents, please send them to us by uploading them on the contact form so we can review them and provide you the total cost estimate and the approximate processing time (you can also view our rates and the estimated processing time on the Rates page).
Step 5. Prepare the Apostille/Authentication Request Form:
1) Download the Apostille/Authentication Request Form here.
2) Print and complete the form following instructions provided on how to submit the payment and mail us all the required documents.
Once we receive your documents, we will contact you by email/phone you provided with receipt confirmation and in case we have additional questions.
Step 6. Contact us:
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us during business hours 9 AM - 5 PM U.S. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday:
- by telephone: 770-447-0360
- by fax: 770-447-0790
- by using the web form to send us a message or by visiting Contact Us page.