Understanding the Secretary of State Apostille Certificate

You might need an apostille certificate for things like getting married, starting a new job, enrolling in school, or handling legal matters abroad. It ensures that your important documents are recognized and accepted by foreign authorities.

You can consult with us to determine if your document can obtain the apostille certificate. If it can, we will ask you to mail us the document, and we will take care of the apostille process for you. Once completed, we will send the original apostilled document back to you in your new country via DHL.

• The apostille process can take 2-4 weeks, though rush services may be available on a state-by-state basis. Once completed, we will mail the original apostilled document back to you in your new home country. Processing times can vary, and international shipping via DHL usually takes 3-5 business days, so please plan accordingly.

• In Washington, D.C., apostille certificate processing can be completed the same day or within 24 hours.

• For the Commonwealth of  Virginia Apostille certificate processing typically takes 9-12 business days. Rush services is currently available. 

• Professional Translation Services: If a translation is needed, use a certified translation service to ensure accuracy. Elite Documents can help with both translation and apostille services.
• Translation After Apostille: It’s often best to get the apostille first, then have the document translated. This ensures the translation includes the apostille certification. Whether you translate the apostille page depends on your preference or the requirements of the requesting agency; it’s not mandatory but sometimes required.
• Always check with the country of destination or the requesting agency for their specific requirements regarding document translation and apostille procedures, as these can vary.

Certified translations typically take 1-3 days to complete, depending on the project size and current workload of our translators. Notarization will be done in the District of Columbia,  our secretary of state walk-in service facilitates the apostille process, allowing documents to be apostilled on the same day.

• Yes, you can apostille a translation as long as the translation is an original hard copy that has been completed with notarization. This means the translation itself needs to be notarized to certify its accuracy and authenticity. It will receive an apostille from the state where the notarization took place. The apostille verifies the authenticity of both the original document and the notarized translation in that particular state. We can help apostille a translation as long as the translation is an original hard copy completed with notarization. 

Yes, you can get an apostille for a document issued in a different country if both countries are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. The apostille certifies the document’s authenticity for use in another member country without additional legalization. If you need help processing a foreign document for apostille, contact us for more details. We have facilitators around the world who can assist with the process.

No, they’re different. Notarization is done by a notary public to certify a document’s authenticity within your home country. An apostille is a step further, making the document internationally recognized in other Hague Convention countries.

• Original Document: You must have the original vital record certificate issued by the appropriate authority (e.g., civil registry, vital statistics office). Some states may have requirements regarding the age of the document, such as not older than 5 years in some cases or no more than 1 year old in others.
• If you’re unsure about the specific requirements in your state or country, it’s best to contact the Secretary of State’s office or the relevant legalization authority directly for accurate information. Elite Documents can also provide assistance with understanding and meeting these requirements.

• To ensure your court record is eligible for an apostille certificate, it typically needs to be an original document issued by the court. It should include the court’s official seal or stamp, and any signatures or certifications by the court clerk or judge must be clearly visible.
• If you do not have a court record, Elite Documents can assist you in retrieving one and obtaining the apostille certificate, ensuring all necessary steps are handled efficiently.”