What is an apostille?

The central distinction

An apostille is attached to or associated with a public document or an official signature. It does not turn a private statement into a public record, decide whether a document is legally sufficient, or establish that every fact in the document is correct.

When the apostille route may apply

The Hague Apostille Convention simplifies the traditional legalization process among participating countries. Whether that route is relevant depends on the country where the document will be used, the country or authority that issued the document, and the type of document. A destination that is not using the Convention may have a different authentication or legalization route.

State, federal, and private documents

In the United States, the appropriate authority can differ for a state-issued record, a federal document, and a private document signed before a notary. The relevant official route follows the signature or record that is being certified. That distinction is more durable than a list of individual office procedures, which can change.

Copies and translations are separate from authentication

A person can have the right apostille and still have the wrong copy or translation for the organization using the document. The office abroad may ask for an original, certified copy, official school record, translation, direct delivery, or another format. An apostille does not replace those requirements. It also does not turn an ordinary photocopy into an office-issued certified copy.

Primary sources

• U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document
• HCCH — Apostille Section and competent authorities