Apostille Process — Authenticating US Documents for Hague Countries
An apostille is a Hague-Convention authentication issued by the Secretary of State. The process is procedural — not legal — but a single error sends it back.
Apostilles authenticate US public documents for use in any of the 120+ Hague Convention countries. The process varies slightly by state but always ends at the Secretary of State.
Step-by-step
- 1
Original or notarized copy
Birth/marriage records need certified copies; affidavits need notarization first.
- 2
County clerk verification (some states)
NY, CA, others require county verification of the notary.
- 3
Secretary of State authentication
Final apostille issued by the SOS where the notary is commissioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
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