Apostille guides by document type

Federal documents (like FBI background checks and naturalization certificates) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. State-issued documents go to the Secretary of State (or equivalent) in the state that issued them. Pick your document below.

• Apostille for a Birth CertificateHow to get an apostille on a U.S. birth certificate for foreign use: certified copies, state SOS steps, courier tips, and common mistakes.
• Apostille for a Certificate of Good StandingHow to get an apostille on a U.S. certificate of good standing (or existence) for foreign use: SOS certification, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for a Copy of a U.S. PassportHow to get an apostille on a notarized or certified copy of a U.S. passport for foreign use: why the passport itself is not apostilled, notary copy-certification vs signer affidavit, which Secretary of State handles it, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common rejection reasons. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for a Court Order or JudgmentHow to get an apostille on a U.S. state court order or judgment for foreign use: certified clerk copies, SOS authentication steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for a Death CertificateHow to get an apostille on a U.S. death certificate for foreign use: certified copies, state SOS steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes.
• Apostille for a Diploma or TranscriptHow to get an apostille on a U.S. diploma, degree, or academic transcript for foreign use: school certification, notary/SOS steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes.
• Apostille for a Divorce DecreeHow to get an apostille on a U.S. divorce decree or judgment for foreign use: certified court copies, state SOS steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for a Last Will and TestamentHow to get an apostille on a U.S. last will and testament (or related probate papers) for foreign use: notarized wills vs certified probate/court copies, which Secretary of State handles it, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common rejection reasons. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for a Marriage CertificateHow to get an apostille on a U.S. marriage certificate for foreign use: certified copies, state SOS steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes.
• Apostille for a Name Change OrderHow to get an apostille on a U.S. court name-change order (or certified decree) for foreign use: certified copy, state SOS steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for a Naturalization CertificateHow to get an apostille (or authentication) on a U.S. Certificate of Naturalization for foreign use: USCIS/USCIS-certified copies, federal State Department path, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for a Power of AttorneyHow to get an apostille on a U.S. power of attorney for foreign use: notarization, state SOS steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for a Property DeedHow to get an apostille on a U.S. property deed (warranty, quitclaim, or recorded deed) for foreign use: certified recorder copies, notarization or county paths, SOS steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for a Single Status AffidavitHow to get an apostille on a U.S. single status affidavit (certificate of no impediment / affidavit of eligibility to marry) for foreign use: notarization, state SOS steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for a State Background Check (Criminal Record Check)How to get an apostille on a state police or state DOJ criminal background check for foreign use: ordering the right certified state record, Secretary of State steps, state vs FBI checks, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common rejection reasons. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for an Academic TranscriptHow to get an apostille on a U.S. academic transcript for foreign use: official registrar copies, notarization or state education paths, SOS steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for an Adoption DecreeHow to get an apostille on a U.S. adoption decree or order for foreign use: certified court copies, state SOS steps, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• Apostille for Articles of IncorporationHow to get an apostille on U.S. articles of incorporation (or a certified copy) for foreign use: SOS certification, fee/timeline estimates, walk-in vs mail vs courier, and common mistakes. Informational only — not legal advice.
• FBI Background Check ApostilleHow to apostille an FBI background check (Identity History Summary) through the U.S. Department of State: the $20 fee, Form DS-4194, mail (up to 5 weeks) vs walk-in (7 business days), channelers, and common reasons for rejection.