Apostillization

The Apostille is an official government issued certificate added to documents so they will be recognised in when presented in another country.

Typically the Apostille Certificate is issued by the state from which the document originates although in some cases another state can issue the Apostille. Once a document has had an Apostille Certificate attached to it confirming the authenticity of signatures and seals it can be presented to any country which recognises the Apostille. The authority receiving the document should then accept the seals or signatures as true and valid without requesting further evidence or proof.

The Apostille Certificate follows a prescribed format and must include the following information:

1. Country of issue

2. Who has signed the document

3. The capacity in which the person signed the document

4. Details of any seal on the document

5. Place of issue

6. Date of issue

7. Issuing authority

8. Apostille Certificate number

9. Stamp of issuing authority

10. Signature of representative of issuing authority

Apostille Countries:

The following countries are all members of the Hague conference and have entered into force Convention 12 of 5 October 1961, Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. These countries will, therefore, accept the Apostille Certificate in place of any further legalisation process. Countries not listed will often still require an Apostille certificate but will then also require further legalisation or attestation via their embassy.

Albania

Andorra

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahamas

Bahrain

Barbados

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei Darussalam

Bulgaria

Burundi

Cape Verde

Chile

China (Hong Kong)

China (Macao)

Colombia

Cook Islands

Costa Rica

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Estonia

Fiji

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Greece

Grenada

Guatemala

Honduras

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

India

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Kazakhstan

Korea

Kosovo

Republic of Kyrgyzstan

Latvia

Lesotho

Liberia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macao (China)

Macedonia (FYR of)

Malawi

Malta

Marshall Islands

Mauritius

Mexico

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

Namibia

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nicaragua

Niue

Norway

Oman

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

The Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Republic of Moldova

Romania

Russian Federation

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Samoa

San Marino

Sao Tome and Principe

Serbia

Seychelles

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Suriname

Swaziland

Sweden

Switzerland

Tajikistan

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Turkey

Ukraine

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK)

Uruguay

United States of America (USA)

Uzbekistan

Vanuatu

Venezuela

The basic cost is $45 for 1 Apostilled version of your Certificate. Extra Copies are $30

Plus shipping :

Shipping in the USA varies from $0 to $20

Shipping Internationally varies from $40 to $110

If, for any reason, you have to do this from outside the US, you might need an Apostille in order to get a recognition as married in the country you live in. An Apostille is a special certificate, issued by the Secretary of State or the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, to attach to your marriage license so that it is considered legal, verifiably authentic, and acceptable in any of the countries that agreed to be part of The Hague Apostille Convention of 1961.

If you have any questions about this service’s legal requirements or legality, feel free to talk to us.