An apostille is an official certification attached to a public document that makes it legalized for use in another country under the terms of the 1961 Hague Convention. Apostilles are typically required for legal documents, such as power of attorney forms, affidavits, or statutory declarations. Educational records, such as transcripts or diplomas, may also require apostilles to be recognized abroad.

The apostille process can be complex, with specific requirements and timelines depending on the type of document. Incorrect submission of a document or missing key information can result in delays or rejection of the apostille request. To avoid these pitfalls, here are a few things to keep in mind when preparing original documents for apostille.

Using Original Documents for Apostille: What You Need to Know

Determine the destination country’s rules and regulations. The destination country’s status will determine whether the document requires an apostille or a full legalization process. Check with the embassy or consulate to learn what is necessary. If the document is federally-issued, confirm with the Department of State Authentication Office if the document needs to be authenticated (i.e., apostilled) with the official seal of the agency issuing the document.

Determine whether the document requires notarization before submitting it for apostille. Apostille requests that do not include a notarized copy of the document will be rejected. If the document requires notarization, consult with a local notary to ensure that the notary is qualified to sign and certify the document. Also, verify that the notary’s seal and signature are valid to submit for apostille. For time-sensitive situations, consider leveraging expedited apostille services. These services will offer faster turnaround times, including same-day and next-day processing for many types of documents.