What is an Apostille?

You may have heard about Apostilles when searching for resources to have your documents translated.

You’ll likely need an Apostille certificate, if you need an official document translated for submission to another country for official use, like when applying for a visa.

Documents that typically require Apostilles include birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, death certificates, background checks, school transcripts, and academic diplomas – among others.

What is an Apostille?

An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signatures and seals of public officials on documents issued by a public authority, for use in another country.

All countries who are members of the Hague Convention Treaty recognize documents that are Apostille certified — 90 countries in total. Browse the list of member countries by clicking here.

The certificate contains numbered fields in a standardized format, which is understood and accepted by receiving member countries, regardless of the official language of the issuing country.

How do I get an Apostille?

To receive an Apostille, you must request one from a competent authority in the country of origin of the document.

You can also contact the country of origin’s embassy to get more information on how to obtain an Apostille.

Don’t wait until the last minute to request an Apostille if you need to submit documents to another country for official use. Depending on the country, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to receive your Apostille certificate. The sooner you can obtain an Apostille for your document, the better.

Helpful links regarding Apostilles:

• List of Competent Authorities for each country: This resource includes contact information for each country including mailing addresses, websites, emails, phone numbers, and more for each authority.
• Apostille section of the HCCH website.
• The ABCs of Apostilles: A downloadable simplified guide that provides basic information about apostilles including what they are, what you need to know before requesting one, and how to ensure that your public documents will be recognized abroad.
• USA Apostille: Detailed information from the Secretary of State about obtaining an Apostille in the United States, for publicly issued US documents.
• Apostille translation: Easily order certified translation of your Apostille with a few easy steps.