Frequently Asked Questions

It certifies the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp on a public document and the capacity of the official who signed it. It does not certify the content.

Countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Membership changes over time, so the current status of your destination should be checked.

The apostille itself generally does not carry an expiry date, but receiving offices sometimes require the underlying document to be recently issued.

Documents issued or notarized in Tennessee are generally apostilled by the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Documents signed by federal officials, including FBI background checks, are generally authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.

Generally no. Each state apostilles documents issued or notarized within that state.

An apostille authenticates a public official’s signature. For private documents, the notary’s signature is what the apostille office can verify.

Many receiving countries require one when their official language is not English. Some also want the apostille itself translated.

Often yes, by the state that commissioned the notary, though the receiving country’s acceptance should be confirmed.

Processing times are set by the issuing authority and can change. Federal and embassy steps often take longer than state apostilles.

Uncertified copies, incomplete notarizations, documents sent to the wrong authority, and missing embassy requirements.

Rush handling prioritizes the steps within our control and avoids preventable rejections, though agency schedules are set by the agencies themselves.