Whether your document was issued by a US state agency or a federal authority, we route it to the correct apostille office and handle everything remotely. Free document review.
Step 1 of 4
What type of US document do you need apostilled?
The US has two separate apostille systems, and using the wrong one is the most common — and costly — mistake clients make.
Warning: Submitting an FBI background check to a state Secretary of State is invalid and will be rejected by foreign authorities. Always verify the correct apostille authority before submitting.
Birth certificates, marriage licenses, degrees, and background checks issued in the US frequently need apostille for use in foreign countries. We handle all US document types — state and federal.
Applying for a Spanish non-lucrative visa, golden visa, or work permit? Spain requires apostilled US documents. FBI checks require the federal apostille from the US State Dept. — not a state Secretary of State.
University degrees, transcripts, and professional certifications issued in the US must be apostilled for credential recognition in foreign countries. We apostille for all states and all destination countries.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original document to be apostilled | US state or federal agency | Varies by document type | Must be original or certified copy issued by the competent authority. |
| State apostille (for state documents) | Secretary of State of the issuing state | 1–10 business days depending on state | Birth certificates, marriage licenses, state court documents, notarized documents — apostilled by the relevant Secretary of State. |
| Federal apostille (for federal documents) | U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications | 4–8 weeks standard / 5–7 days expedited | FBI records, federal court orders, documents issued by federal agencies — only the US State Dept. can apostille these. |
| Certified translation (if required by destination country) | Sworn / certified translator | 1–2 business days | Many countries require a certified translation of the apostilled document. We provide sworn translations for all major languages. |
We review your document to determine whether it requires a state or federal apostille. This is critical — submitting a federal document to a state Secretary of State is a common and costly mistake.
State documents go to the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Federal documents (FBI records, federal court orders) go to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications. We manage all submission logistics.
We track your case at every step and update you on status. Expedited options are available for most state authorities and for the federal State Dept. route.
If your destination country requires a certified translation, we coordinate this in parallel. Final documents are returned by tracked international courier to anywhere in the world.
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.
Yes. Every US state has a Secretary of State office authorized to apostille documents originating in that state. The process and fees vary by state, but all are valid under the 1961 Hague Convention.
State apostilles are issued by a state's Secretary of State and cover documents originating in that state — birth certificates, marriage licenses, court orders, notarized documents. Federal apostilles are issued only by the U.S. Department of State and cover documents issued by federal agencies, including FBI records, federal court documents, and documents signed by certain federal officials.
No. FBI records are federal documents. Only the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications has jurisdiction to apostille them. State Secretary of State offices will refuse or invalidly process these documents. We route all FBI apostille requests to the correct federal authority.
State apostilles typically take 1–10 business days, with same-day or next-day options available in many states. Federal apostilles at the US State Dept. take 4–8 weeks standard, or 5–7 business days with expedited service. We always quote you the most current processing times before starting.
All 120+ member countries of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention accept US apostilles. This includes Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, most EU countries, the UK, Australia, and many others. If your destination country is not a Hague member (e.g., Canada, China until 2024), consular legalization is required instead.
Many countries require a certified translation of the apostilled document into their official language. Spain, for example, requires a sworn certified translation for immigration purposes. We handle translations for all major languages — coordinated with the apostille to avoid delays.
Yes. You do not need to be in the state that issued the document. We submit to the Secretary of State of the issuing state on your behalf, regardless of where you are located — domestically or internationally.
Cost varies by state, document type, and service level. State apostilles typically range from $50–$150 for our service (including state fees and handling). Federal apostilles start at $149. Contact us for an exact quote based on your specific document and destination country.
Message us today for a free document review and guidance.