How to apostille federal documents for use in another country, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first thing to understand is the difference between an apostille and an authentication certificate.

Both are ways of certifying the signatures and seals on important documents such as court orders, contracts, diplomas and more. Apostilles verify that a notarized document is valid in a foreign country that is part of the Hague Convention of 1961. The certification also certifies the identity of the notary and confirms that the notary has been appointed and is qualified to notarize the document.

Federal Apostille: A Complete How-To for U.S. Documents

Authentication certificates verify the same information as apostilles, except that they are used for countries that do not belong to the Hague Convention of 1961 and may require an additional step of Embassy Legalization (also known as a full legalization). Both authentications and apostilles can be obtained at any U.S State Department Office of Authentications.

Apostilles can be obtained for most government documents, including FBI background checks, passport applications, military service records, marriage licenses and divorce decrees, birth certificates, and other public records. The most common documents that need apostilles are those that contain a federal government officer’s signature. We can help you with all of your apostille and authentication needs, including the Embassy legalization process for non-Hague Convention countries. Our offices are located in New York City, Albany, and Utica. Contact us to get started. Alternatively, you can book an appointment to meet with us for a consultation.