Apostille for Federal Certifications

When documents are used abroad, they must be authenticated and recognized as official. This process is called legalization and can be a lengthy and costly endeavor. The process can also be confusing as many requirements need to be met. Fortunately, there are ways to streamline this process and save money. The most common documents that need to be authenticated are vital records such as birth or marriage certificates, divorce decrees, school transcripts/diplomas, and court documents (local, state, county or federal). In addition, certain business and organizational documents, such as bylaws and articles of incorporatio,n and meeting minutes, need to be certified.

Apostille for Federal Certifications: Make Your Documents Valid Abroad

The type of document you need determines whether or not an apostille is required. An apostille for federal certifications is the seal or stamp of the agency that issued the original public document. Typically, a notary public’s signature and seal/stamp must be added to the original document. Additionally, the notary must have been commissioned by the Secretary of State.

For use in the United States, a notary may not add an apostille to a photocopy. The apostille certificate must be placed on the same page as the original document.

The Authentication and Apostille Division of the Office of the Secretary of State verifies both apostilles and authentications for federal agencies and offices. To obtain these documents, the agency that issued the original document should contact the Department of State Authentication Office for verification. If you need to have a corporate document authenticated, contact the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State.