Apostille Services
What is an Apostille and Why is it Needed?
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 can be legally recognized abroad.
Apostilles are often required for:
- International adoptions
- Dual citizenship applications
- Overseas employment
- Business transactions with foreign partners
- Educational purposes in another country
In the United States, apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State in the state where the document originated. They ensure that your documents meet international legal standards, making processes like immigration, education, and business abroad smooth and hassle-free.
To provide the most effective assistance, we’ll need to know:
- The state or agency where the document was issued
- The country where the document will be used
- Whether the document requires notarization before the apostille
- Whether translation into another language is needed
As a Florida notary, I offer mobile notary services to ensure your documents meet all requirements for apostille processing. Serving Hillsborough County, Florida, I provide professional notary services that are reliable and efficient to make the process seamless and worry-free.
Rayae Notary Services, LLC specializes in remote online notarization and is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
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 certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Death certificates
- State court documents
- School records (diplomas, transcripts, enrollment letters)
- Notarized documents (affidavits, POA, authorizations, letters, etc.)
- State-issued business documents (articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing, corporate resolutions)
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)
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.
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