How to Request an Apostille
According to the Hague Convention of 1961, for a document to be officially recognized in a foreign country it is required to be authenticated with an apostille. An apostille can be obtained from the Secretary of State of the state where the document was originally issued. Read on to learn how to request an apostille.
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Instructions
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Call your Secretary of State for information, before sending in an apostille request. Some records, county records for example, cannot be authenticated. Always verify the state's process and procedures before mailing your request.
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Request an authentication for a notarization by sending the original notarized document to the Secretary of State. Requests for notarization authentications can only be completed by the State Secretary of the state in which the notary works.
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Authenticate a vital record, such as a birth or death certificate or a marriage or dissolution of marriage certificate. First, acquire a certified copy of the record from the Center for Health Statistics of the state in which the record was created. Then send the certified copy to the Secretary of State with your apostille request.
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Certify a transcript or diploma by first contacting the registrar of your school. The registrar must sign a statement on the record itself certifying its authenticity. Then the original, notarized document should be sent to the State Secretary of the state in which the school is located, to request an apostille.
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Send your apostille request. If you send the request by mail, include a cover letter that states the country where the document needs to go, your full name, phone number and address. If you will pay by credit card, include the number and expiration date. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Secretary of State. Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.
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Tips & Warnings
Most Secretaries of State will have an in-office service in which your apostille can be completed while you wait.
Generally, the charge is around $10 for each apostille request, however the price varies from state to state.
Countries that have not signed the 1961 Hague Convention will not recognize an apostille. A foreign public record should be legalized by a consulate of the country where the document is issued. Contact the country's embassy in the United States.
Generally, foreign countries will require a legalized translation of your document and its apostille. Contact the embassy of the destination country for instructions.
