Official Hague Convention certification for background checks, diplomas, civil records, and notarized documents. 100% remote — free review, expert handling, delivery worldwide.
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Where will you use the document?
An apostille is a standardized certification issued by the competent authority of the country of origin that verifies the authenticity of a public document for use abroad. Established by the 1961 Hague Convention, it is the most widely accepted form of document authentication in international law — recognized in over 125 countries.
When you apply for a visa, move abroad, enroll in a foreign university, or need a document legally recognized in another country, authorities will ask for an apostille. It validates the seal and signature on your original so no further verification is required in the receiving country.
Moving abroad for work, residency, or family reunification? Foreign authorities require apostilled originals — birth certificates, background checks, diplomas — before they process any application.
Universities and employers in Hague Convention countries won't accept your diploma without an apostille. We process it fast so your credential recognition process isn't delayed.
Powers of attorney, corporate resolutions, and notarized contracts used abroad need apostille certification to be legally enforceable. We handle single documents or full business packages.
Each document type follows a specific process and goes to a different issuing authority. Select yours:
Requirements, timelines, and issuing authorities vary by country. Find your country:
Spain is our primary market. Whether you need a criminal record, diploma, or any civil document apostilled for a Spanish visa or residency application, we handle the full chain — from obtaining the certificate to delivering it apostilled to your door.
Get a free consultation →| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original document | Issuing authority (Civil Registry, university, court, etc.) | Variable | Must be the original, not a photocopy or notarized copy of a copy |
| Government ID of applicant | Applicant | Current / valid | Passport, driver's license, or national ID |
| Request form (where required) | Secretary of State / apostilling authority | At submission | Some states and countries allow online submission |
| Government fee payment | Treasury / issuing institution | At submission | Varies by state, country, and document type |
Most apostille rejections are preventable. Our review catches these issues before we submit:
Send us scanned copies — we confirm eligibility, identify the correct apostilling authority, and quote a firm timeline and price.
Mail the original documents to us by tracked, insured courier. We provide instructions and a packing checklist.
We submit to the Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice, or relevant authority, and track progress at every stage.
Your apostilled documents are returned by express courier to your address, anywhere in the world.
These two processes are not interchangeable. Using the wrong one results in rejection and wasted money.
| Factor | Apostille | Consular Legalization |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Hague Convention (1961) | Bilateral treaties / custom |
| Steps required | 1 (apostille authority) | 3 or more |
| Countries covered | 125+ Hague members | Non-Hague countries |
| Time required | 3–15 business days | 3–8 weeks |
| Cost | $20–$100 per document | $150–$500+ per document |
Countries that require full legalization (not apostille): China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam, Cuba, and other non-Hague nations. If your destination is on this list, see our legalization service.
How to decide: If both your origin country and destination country are Hague members → apostille is sufficient. If either is outside the Hague Convention → full consular legalization is required.
The apostille itself does not expire — it certifies a historical fact (that an official's signature was genuine on a specific date). However, the underlying document may expire for immigration purposes:
Coordinate your document requests, apostille processing times, and sworn translations carefully with your final application deadline.
| Country | Government fee |
|---|---|
| USA — State Dept (federal documents) | $20 |
| USA — State level (varies by state) | $5–$20 |
| Spain (MAEC) | Free–€30 |
| Mexico (SEGOB/TAD) | ~$10–$30 |
| Colombia (SNR) | ~$15–$25 |
| Argentina (Cancillería) | ~$20–$40 |
| UK (FCDO) | £30–£75 |
Third-party service fees range from $50–$400 depending on urgency and country. Using a professional service makes sense when you need an urgent apostille processed abroad while you are overseas — the service fee is far lower than the cost of a rejected application or a missed deadline.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
An apostille is an international certification that authenticates the origin of a public document so it is legally recognized abroad. It was established by the 1961 Hague Convention and is required when you need to use official documents — such as birth certificates, diplomas, or background checks — in another member country.
Standard processing takes 5–10 business days depending on the issuing authority. We offer rush service in 48–72 hours for priority cases. Once ready, we notify you immediately and coordinate delivery by courier.
Most official documents qualify: birth, marriage, and death certificates; academic diplomas and transcripts; criminal background checks; notarized contracts; court records and official IDs. We review your case and tell you exactly what is needed.
Common rejection reasons include: submitting a photocopy instead of the original; using an expired document (many background checks expire after 3–6 months); mismatched names across documents; submitting to the wrong authority (e.g., a federal document sent to a state office). We catch these issues before submission.
No. Our process is fully remote. You send us scanned copies for review, then mail the originals by certified courier. We handle everything and return your apostilled documents by express delivery to your address.
The apostille is valid in over 125 Hague Convention member countries, including the United States, Spain, all of Latin America, and the EU. For non-member countries (China, UAE, Saudi Arabia), full consular legalization is required — we handle that too.
Message us today for a free document review and guidance.