Getting An Apostille Can Be Stressful...But We Got You Covered
An apostille is an official certification attached to a U.S. document that verifies the authenticity of the signatures and seals. It is the internationally recognized standard required by most foreign countries when submitting documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, powers of attorney, or FBI background checks.
The apostille process can be complex and time-consuming. In most cases, you must begin with an original document or a recently issued certified copy. The document then needs to be submitted to the appropriate authority—typically the Secretary of State in the issuing state, the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., or, in some cases, a foreign embassy or consulat
The process of getting an apostille done right can be jarring, confusing and stressful. We take the guesswork out of the process for you so you can breath easy. Let Nextdoor Notary ease your mind by handling the whole process for you, from start to finish. We ensure your documents are completed accurately, submitted to the correct government office, and returned quickly.
One of the greatest challenges is that each type of document has specific preparatory requirements that must be met before it is eligible for apostille or embassy legalization. Missing even a single detail can result in delays or rejection.
We also partner with a certified USA translation expert for certified translation services for documents that must be submitted in a foreign language—perfect for immigration, adoption, and international business use.
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Embassy Legalization and Document Authentication
Embassy Legalization Services authenticate your U.S. documents so they are officially recognized and valid for use abroad. This service is commonly required when you plan to get married, work, study, do business, or relocate to another country. Typical documents include personal records (birth/marriage/divorce certificates, powers of attorney) and corporate documents (certificates of incorporation, good standing, bylaws, etc.).
The legalization process can be complicated and time-consuming. Even small errors often lead to rejection and lengthy delays. The exact steps depend on the destination country and whether it is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention.
- Hague Convention countries
A single “apostille” certificate issued by the competent U.S. authority (usually the state Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State) is sufficient. No further embassy involvement is needed.
- Non-Hague Convention countries
Full embassy/consular legalization is required. The process differs based on who issued the document:
- State-issued documents (birth/death/marriage certificates, divorce decrees, driver’s licenses, articles of incorporation, etc.)
1. Certification by the issuing state (or state Secretary of State)
2. Authentication by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
3. Final legalization at the embassy/consulate of the destination country.
- Federally issued documents (FBI background checks, USDA/ FDA certificates, Certificates of Naturalization, Social Security letters, etc.)
1. Authentication directly by the U.S. Department of State
2. Final legalization at the embassy/consulate of the destination country.
Because requirements vary widely by country and document type, professional embassy legalization services can save significant time and help avoid costly mistakes. We’ll help you get it done right the first time.