Back to Immigration ServicesWhat Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an official certification that verifies the authenticity of documents for use in foreign countries. It is recognized under the Hague Convention of 1961.
What We Do
We provide assistance with obtaining apostilles or authentication certificates for documents used outside the United States.
- Preparation guidance for State Department authentication
- Secretary of State apostille processing
- Foreign embassy authentication chains
- Document review and verification
Common Documents
- Birth Certificates
- Marriage Certificates
- Divorce Decrees
- Death Certificates
- Educational Diplomas
- Corporate Documents
- Power of Attorney
The Apostille Process
- Document Verification – Ensure document is original or certified copy
- Notarization – Some documents require notarization first
- State Certification – Secretary of State issues apostille
- Embassy Authentication – For non-Hague countries
Hague Convention Countries
Apostilles are accepted in over 120 countries that are party to the Hague Convention. For countries not part of the convention, a full authentication chain through the U.S. State Department and foreign embassy is required.
Processing Time
- Ohio Secretary of State: 2-5 business days
- U.S. State Department: 3-4 weeks (standard)
- Expedited services available
Need Apostille Services?
Contact us to discuss your document authentication needs.