Apostille/Certification

An apostille (pronounced uh-paa-still) is a certification provided by an authorized authority that confirms the authenticity of a public official’s signature on a document. This certification is essential for documents intended for use in foreign countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention.

The type of certificate you need depends on the country where the document will be used:

• Apostille:

  This is utilized for public documents being transferred between countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles eliminate the need for additional diplomatic or consular legalization.

• Authentication Certificate:

  This is required for countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents may need further diplomatic or consular legalization before they can be used overseas.

Notaries Public do not issue apostilles or authentication certificates; these certifications are managed at the state or federal level based on the type of document.

The turnaround time can vary widely depending on several factors, including:

• The type of document
• The document’s origin
• The destination country
• Specific requirements for the certification process

For straightforward documents that meet all necessary criteria, the certification process may take just a few days or weeks. However, if the documents are more complex or require additional verification, it could take several weeks or even months.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation, please contact us.

Our Apostille and Certification services start at $200. The total cost can vary based on factors such as:

• The type of document(s)
• Whether the document originates from state or federal government sources
• The number of documents needing certification
• The choice of standard, expedited, or rush service (subject to availability)
• Any additional notarial services required

Please reach out to us for more details or specific pricing information.