Apostilles: a plain-English guide and 50-state directory

When you need one

You usually need an apostille when a U.S. document is going to a country that belongs to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, for example for a foreign marriage, study abroad, dual citizenship, an international adoption, or doing business overseas. Countries outside the convention use a different chain, often called authentication or legalization, which may also involve that country's embassy or consulate. Ask the receiving authority which one it wants before you start.

Apostille or certified copy?

A certified copy is the document itself, issued by the office that holds the record (for example a vital records office or court clerk). An apostille is a separate certificate that a state office attaches to that certified copy, or to a notarized document, for use abroad. Most people need both: first get a recent certified copy from the issuing office, then send it to the state apostille office.

State documents vs. federal documents

• State or local documents (birth and marriage certificates, state court records, documents notarized by a state notary, state business certificates): the apostille comes from the state where the document was issued. Usually that's the Secretary of State.
• Federal documents (FBI background checks, documents signed by federal officials, naturalization records): these go to the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications. Official page: travel.state.gov — Requesting authentication services. That site blocks automated checks, so we could not load it on November 12, 2026.

Common steps

1. Confirm which country will receive the document and whether it accepts apostilles.
2. Get the right original: a recent certified copy from the issuing office, or a document properly notarized by a notary from the same state.
3. Check the state office's rules (some require a county clerk step first, an appointment, or an online request).
4. Send or bring the document, the request form if one is required, the fee, and a return envelope, exactly as the official page describes.

Directory: where each state issues apostilles

Fees are shown only when confirmed on the official page on November 12, 2026. Open the state page for details and the source link.