FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is an Apostille? 

An apostille is an official certificate that authenticates a public document, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, diploma, power of attorney, or notarized document, for use in another country. Apostilles are issued for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention and verify that the signature, seal, or stamp on a document is genuine. 

If you are moving abroad, getting married overseas, applying for dual citizenship, studying internationally, or conducting business in another country, you may need an apostille to ensure your documents are accepted.

What Types of Documents Require an Apostille?

Many personal, educational, legal, and business documents require an apostille for international use. Common documents that may need an apostille include:

• Birth Certificates

• Marriage Certificates

• Death Certificates

• Divorce Decrees

• Diplomas and Academic Transcripts

• FBI Background Checks

• Powers of Attorney

• Adoption Documents

• Corporate and Business Documents

• Notarized Affidavits and Agreements

If you plan to use a U.S. document in another country, an apostille may be required to verify its authenticity and ensure it is accepted by foreign government agencies, educational institutions, employers, and other organizations. Our apostille services help individuals and businesses obtain apostilles for documents issued in New York and throughout the United States.

What Countries Require an Apostille?

An apostille is required when you need to use a U.S. document in a country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles allow documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, powers of attorney, and notarized documents to be legally recognized in participating countries.

Some of the most common countries that accept apostilles include:

• Mexico

• Spain

• Italy

• France

• Germany

• Dominican Republic

• Colombia

• Argentina

• Brazil

• South Korea

• Japan

• Australia

• United Kingdom

• Netherlands

If your destination country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents may require a different process known as authentication and legalization. Contact us with the country where your documents will be used, and we'll help determine the correct requirements.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Apostille?

The processing time for an apostille depends on the type of document and the issuing agency. For most New York State documents, standard apostille processing typically takes 5–7 business days, although some documents may be completed sooner.

Need your documents faster? We also offer expedited apostille services for an additional fee. Expedited processing can help reduce turnaround times and is ideal for clients with urgent travel, immigration, dual citizenship, international business, or legal deadlines.

Contact us for current processing times and express apostille options for your specific document.

Can You Apostille Documents Issued Outside of New York?

Yes, we can assist with apostille requests for documents issued in all 50 states! While New York-issued documents are processed directly through New York State agencies, documents issued in other states must typically be apostilled by the Secretary of State or designated authority in the state where the document originated.

We help clients navigate the process by reviewing documents, confirming apostille requirements, and coordinating out-of-state apostille requests whenever possible. If your document was issued outside of New York, contact us for a document review and personalized guidance on the next steps.

Common out-of-state documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, diplomas, transcripts, FBI background checks, and notarized documents.

What If My Document Needs a Notarization or Translation Before It Can Be Apostilled?

No problem! Many documents require additional steps before they are eligible for apostille processing. If your document needs to be notarized, we offer notary services to help ensure it meets apostille requirements. If your document must be translated for use abroad, we can also assist with certified translation services.

Our team will review your documents, determine whether notarization or translation is required, and guide you through the entire process. By offering apostille, notary, and translation services in one place, we help make international document authentication simple and hassle-free.

Common documents that may require notarization or translation include powers of attorney, affidavits, academic records, business documents, and personal documents intended for use overseas.

Still Have Questions About Your Apostille?

Not sure if your document needs an apostille, authentication, notarization, or translation? We're happy to help. Simply send us a copy of your document and tell us the country where it will be used, and we'll guide you through the process.

For assistance, call or text us at (347) 377-0913, email us at info@almornotaryapostille.com, or complete our contact form. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Contact us today to get started with your apostille request!