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Jan 15, 20212 min read

U.S. Department of State Apostille and Authentication Process

Updated: Mar 24, 2022



The US Department of State may authenticate or apostille the following type of documents. The type of document will decide what steps need to be completed before it presents to the DOS.


1. The State and Local Documents


Such as:

  • Birth Certificates

  • Marriage Certificates

  • Death Certificates

  • Divorce Decrees

  • Probate Wills

  • Judgments


Requirements

  • The original or certified document must include the raised and/or stamped seal of the court or department of vital records.

  • Must be certified by the Secretary of State from the state in which the documents were issued. The Secretary of State will certify to the official signing the document under the Seal of the State.


2. Federally-issued documents


Such as:

  • Animal/Plant Certifications (issued by U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA)

  • Animal Health certifications (issued by USDA)

  • FBI – Background check (issued by U.S. Department of Justice, or DoJ)

  • U.S. Federal Court Documents check (issued by DoJ)

  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court check (issued by DoJ)

  • Immigration Certifications (issued by U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

  • Certificate of Foreign Governments (issued by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS)

  • Certificate of Pharmaceutical/Export (issued by HHS)

  • Trademark (Issued by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office)

  • Other documents issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, Social Security Administration, or Office of Personnel Management


Requirements

  • Must be executed by U.S. federal agencies

  • Must include a legible signature of the official's name, printed name and title, and seal of the agency

  • Must be on agency letterhead


3. Documents issued by the District of Columbia Superior Court and Court of Appeals


Such as:

  • ·Marriage Certificates (Issued in the District of Columbia)


Requirements

  • The document must have the original official signature and the raised seal of the court.


4. Other Documents


Such as:

  • Affidavits

  • Agreements

  • Articles of Incorporation

  • Bylaws

  • Commercial Invoices

  • Copy of a U.S. Passport (identification page only)

  • Deeds of Assignment

  • Diplomas

  • Home Study

  • Income Verification

  • Powers-of-Attorney

  • Single Status

  • Transcripts

  • Other business documents


Requirements:

  • Must be certified with a stamp or seal by a notary public

  • Must be certified by the clerk of court from the county in which the notary is commissioned

  • Must be certified by the Secretary of State from the state in which the document was executed

  • Documents from the District of Columbia must be certified by the Government of the District of Columbia Notarial Section

  • Note: the document doesn't have to be certified by the clerk of court from the county in which the notary is commissioned if the Secretary of State will certify directly to the notary.




 

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