Apostille Services
What is an Apostille and Why is it Needed?
Fast, professional processing for international documents.
(Please note: no same-day service is available.)
An apostille is an official certification issued under the Hague Apostille Convention that verifies the authenticity of a document for use in countries that are parties to the convention. It confirms that a document—such as a birth certificate, marriage license, power of attorney, or business agreement—is legitimate and legally recognized abroad.
Our Apostille Process
Please scan all pages of your documents and email them to ri@rayaenotaryservicesllc.com. Be sure to include the destination country.
Note: One document may consist of multiple pages.
If your documents require notarization and have not yet been notarized, we can provide notarization services. Rayae Notary Services LLC reserves the right to charge an additional fee for notarization.
As a mobile notary, we will meet at a mutually agreed-upon location to collect your original documents. If notarization is needed, we can notarize them during the appointment before submitting them to our courier in Tallahassee. Please bring a valid ID, and ensure all signers are present if notarization is required.
Courier to Tallahassee – Documents are personally delivered to the Secretary of State for certification.
Tracking & Updates – You will receive updates on the status of your documents throughout the process.s.
Common Uses for Apostilles
- International marriage or divorce documents
- Birth, death, and marriage certificates
- Power of Attorney for use abroad
- Adoption paperwork
- Educational records (diplomas, transcripts)
- Business documents and corporate filings
- Background checks and FBI reports
- Immigration and residency documents
- Real estate transactions overseas
- Court documents for foreign countries
In the United States, apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State in the state where the document was issued. They certify your documents for international use, helping ensure a smooth process for immigration, education, and business abroad.
Important Notes
Rayae Notary Services, LLC is not a government agency or law firm and does not provide legal advice. We ensure your documents are properly notarized and prepared for apostille processing, helping them meet international requirements for legal use abroad.
State-Level vs. Federal Apostilles: What’s the Difference?
When you need to use U.S. documents abroad, choosing the correct type of apostille is essential. Apostilles can be issued at two different levels depending on who created or authorized the document:
State-Level Apostille or Federal Apostille
Secretary of State (State Apostille)
Required For Documents Issued by ANY U.S. State:
State apostilles apply to documents created, issued, filed, or notarized within a specific state, such as:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage licenses
- Death certificates
- Divorce decrees and other court judgments
- Adoption documents
- Single Status Affidavits
- Powers of Attorney
- Travel consent letters
- Petitions for name change
- Vehicle title registrations (DMV)
- Car titles
- Academic transcripts and diplomas (high school, college, university, trade school)
- GED diplomas and transcripts
- Authorization of Agent documents
- Wills and trusts
- Articles of Incorporation
- Certificates to foreign governments
- Corporate Powers of Attorney
- Other notarized or state-issued records
When you need this type:
If the document was issued by a state agency, state court, or notarized within that state, it requires a state-level apostille from that specific Secretary of State.
U.S. Department of State (Federal Apostille)
Required For Documents Issued by U.S. Federal Agencies:
Federal apostilles apply to documents created or issued by national U.S. agencies, including:
- FBI background checks
- U.S. Federal Court documents
- Social Security Administration (SSA) documents
- U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) documents
- IRS documents
- USDA / FDA documents
- Certificates of Naturalization (federal certified copies)
- Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
- Other federal agency-issued documents
When you need this type:
Documents from federal U.S. agencies need an apostille from the U.S. Department of State, not from any state office.