Frequently Asked Questions

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 An apostille is an official certification that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country. It’s issued under the Hague Apostille Convention, a treaty established to streamline the process of legalizing documents across member countries.

The purpose of an apostille is to verify that a document issued in one country is genuine and can be legally recognized in another. Common documents that require an apostille include birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, and legal or corporate documents.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the process:

1. Document Preparation: First, a public document (like a notarized document) must be prepared and signed.
2. Authentication: The document is submitted to a designated authority in the country of origin (often the Secretary of State in the U.S.), where it’s verified and the apostille is attached.
3. Recognition: Once apostilled, the document can be accepted in any of the Hague Convention member countries without further legalization.

This process simplifies international document verification, allowing for smoother transactions and legal procedures across borders.

 The Hague Convention (Apostille Convention, or the Apostille Treaty) is an international treaty drafted by the Hague Conference on Private International Law. It specifies how a document issued in one of the signatory countries can be certified for legal purposes in all the other signatory states. 

There are currently 83 countries that participate in the Hague Treaty. 

 The documents you would need to get married abroad would vary depending on the country as each country has different requirements, but you would always need your birth certificate, a valid passport, deed poll proof of any name change or adoption certificate plus most likely a certificate of no impediment which has had an Apostille attached. 

unfortunately not, original documents are required.

Hague Apostille Services 7 business days

Federal Apostille Services 25 business days.

Non-Hague Services 25 business days

Yes, we will forward documents internationally upon completion. Your representative will assist with this request time.

No, we are ubable to complete the request on the spot.