Stepwise Federal Apostille Application

Apostilles and authentication certificates verify signatures, stamps or seals on important documents. They can be used in countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Convention. The type of document and the country where you will use it determines whether you need an apostille or an authentication certificate.

Before apostille federal transcripts an apostille or authentication, make sure that your document is a true copy of the original federal document. Check the signature of the official who signed the document to ensure it is valid. If the signature is not valid, it will be rejected by the Department of State and you will need to obtain a new document.

For a federal document, it must have been signed by the official who issued it. The official may sign directly on the document or on a separate page called an allonge. If the original federal document has a seal, it must be authenticated as well.

If your document is a notarized certified copy of the original federal document, it will only need an apostille if it is to be used in a country that is part of the Hague Convention. Otherwise, it will need a full legalization.

To get an apostille or authentication, contact the U.S. Department of State Authentication Office to learn about requirements, costs and addresses. If the document is a federal document, you can contact the Office of the Clerks and Deputy Clerks of the U.S. District Court in your district for a quick, simple process that can be done in person.