Let’s break it down

First off, what is an apostille? The Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines “apostille” as a document used in international law that is issued by a government in accordance with the Hague Convention and that certifies that another document has been signed by a notary public. Basically, it is a certification that gives your document validity in other countries.

So how do you get one? Well, the only entity with the power and authority to apostille a document is the Secretary of State which is located in the capital of every state. If a document was issued by the State of Florida, it would be sent to Tallahassee, if it is issued from another state, then it would be sent to the capital of that state. If the document is issued from a different country all together you will need to visit the embassy or consulate of that country.

In order to obtain an apostille you basically have 3 options. Option #1: Mail in the original document using the appropriate form where it will stand in line to get processed. This option in most states does not offer any type of expedite service. It is processed by the date it is received. The trick is that usually most states are several weeks if not months behind in their processing making the wait several months with no way of tracking. Option #2: You can present your document in-person at the Secretary of State, however most people are not within driving distance. For example, Tallahassee is approximately a 6-hour drive, one way, from where we are located in SWFL. Options #3: Hire a Notary who serves as a courier and presents the documents in-person. With this option not only are you able to track the process but (depending on the state) you are usually able to get the document back within a week.

What kind of documents need an apostille? Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, certified and notarized school records, background checks, and basically any document that contains a notarization and will be used internationally.

How can we help? We have been blessed with an amazing network of notaries around the U.S. that can help provide courier services so you can get your document back in a shorter time frame. When it comes to your sensitive documents, make sure you are working with a knowledgeable team you can trust. At that’s where we come in.