​An apostille is a government-issued certification that allows certain documents to be accepted for legal use in another country. If you're sending documents overseas for work, school, marriage, business, or legal matters, you may need an apostille before they will be recognized.

Many personal, educational, legal, and business documents may require an apostille before they can be used in another country. Common examples include:

• ​Birth, marriage, and death certificates

• Powers of attorney

• Divorce decrees

• Diplomas and transcripts

• Adoption documents

• Corporate and business records

• Articles of incorporation

• Affidavits

• Court documents

• Background checks

Requirements vary by country and the type of document. If you're unsure whether your document needs an apostille, we're happy to help guide you through the process.

Processing times vary depending on the type of document, the state where it was issued or notarized, and the Secretary of State's current workload. In many cases, processing takes a few business days to several weeks. Expedited options may be available in some states. We'll help you understand the expected timeline for your specific document.