What Is An Apostille?

An apostille is an international stamp of approval. It’s a special certificate that gets attached to your original document to prove it’s official and legal. Think of it like a notary for the world.

It shows that your document was properly signed, sealed, or notarized in the U.S.—and that other countries can trust it.

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Example: If you’re getting married in Spain and need to show your California birth certificate, Spain may require an apostille to confirm it’s legit.

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Why Are Apostilles Important?

• They make your U.S. documents valid overseas

• They’re often required for visas, citizenship, business contracts, or studying abroad

• They help avoid legal delays or rejections in foreign countries

Without an apostille, your document might be rejected—even if it’s 100% real.

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Quick Facts:

• Apostilles only work between countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention (over 100 countries are members).

• You usually get an apostille from the Secretary of State’s office in the state where the document was issued.

• Not all documents need them—just the ones being used outside the U.S.