Planning a move abroad? You need an Apostille.

An apostille is a vital document needed to obtain work or attend school abroad. Read on to see why it is needed and how to obtain one.

Grace L. Reeves

1/30/20251 min read

Moving Abroad? Here’s What You Need to Know About Getting an Apostille

If you're planning to live, work, study, or get married in another country, you'll likely be asked to provide official U.S. documents, but those documents must first be legalized. That’s where an apostille comes in.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a form of international certification issued by the Secretary of State that verifies a document's authenticity. It makes your document valid in other countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

When Do You Need One? You might need an apostille for:

  • Birth, marriage, or death certificates

  • FBI background checks

  • Diplomas and transcripts

  • Power of attorney documents

  • Adoption or court records

  • Business documents

Why Is It Important?

Without an apostille, your U.S. documents may not be accepted abroad. It’s the key to ensuring your paperwork is recognized and valid in your destination country.

How Do You Get an Apostille?

  1. Have the document notarized, if required (some official documents like vital records may already be eligible).

  2. Submit the original or notarized copy to the Secretary of State in the state where it was issued.

  3. Pay the required fee and allow for processing time, or hire a professional apostille service to speed things up.

Pro Tip: Use a mobile notary to get your documents notarized quickly and correctly before submitting them for apostille. It saves you time and ensures everything is in proper order.

Need help with notarization or preparing documents for an apostille?
I offer mobile notary services and can guide you through the apostille process. Reach out today and get ready for your move abroad with confidence!