If you hold US-issued documents and need to use them abroad — for residency, employment, or education — an apostille is the fastest and most widely accepted way to authenticate them internationally.
What is a US apostille?
A US apostille is a certification attached to your original document by a competent state or federal authority. It confirms the document’s authenticity for use in any of the 125+ countries that are members of the Hague Convention of 1961.
The US joined the Hague Convention in 1981. Since then, US documents do not need to go through a full embassy or consulate legalization — an apostille alone is sufficient for member countries.
Who issues apostilles in the United States?
The issuing authority depends on the document type and where it was issued:
| Document type | Issuing authority |
|---|---|
| Birth, death, marriage certificates | Secretary of State of the issuing state |
| FBI background checks | US Department of State |
| Federal court documents | US Department of State |
| Diplomas from US universities | Secretary of State of the state where the school is located |
| Notarized documents | Secretary of State of the notarizing state |
Important: State-issued documents use state-level apostilles (e.g., California Secretary of State). Federal documents use the US Department of State in Washington DC.
Most common use cases
- Spain residency (NIE / TIE): Birth certificates, background checks (FBI), marriage certificates
- Work visas for Latin America: Diplomas, transcripts, professional certifications
- Education enrollment abroad: Transcripts, diplomas, high school records
- Family reunification: Birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees
How long does it take?
- State-level apostille: 5–10 business days (standard) / 2–3 days (expedited for most states)
- FBI background check + federal apostille: 10–15 business days (we can often reduce this)
- FBI Identity History Summary (electronic) + apostille: 5–8 business days
Common mistakes to avoid
- Requesting an apostille on a photocopy instead of an original — most authorities require originals
- Sending a document issued in one state to another state’s Secretary of State
- Not checking if Spain or your destination country also requires a certified Spanish translation
- Using an outdated background check (Spain requires checks issued within 3–6 months)
Do you also need a translation?
If your document is going to be used in a Spanish-speaking country, you will likely need a certified Spanish translation in addition to the apostille. We coordinate both — apostille and translation — in a single package, so you receive everything ready to submit.
Questions about your specific situation? Contact us and we will confirm exactly what you need within 24 hours.