Apostille Services for Immigration
Get your documents accepted abroad for immigration, visas, and citizenship.
Why You Need an Apostille
Immigration authorities in many countries require apostilled documents to verify your identity, family relationships, education, and criminal history. An apostille certifies that your documents are authentic and legally valid for use in any of the 120+ Hague Convention countries. Without proper apostille certification, your immigration application could face delays or rejection.
Whether you're applying for a visa, permanent residency, or citizenship in another country, properly apostilled documents demonstrate that you're providing legitimate information and help streamline your immigration process.
Common Documents Required
Immigration processes typically require several personal documents to be apostilled. Here are the most commonly requested documents:
Birth Certificates
Required to verify your identity, age, and place of birth for almost all immigration applications.
Marriage Certificates
Needed for spouse visas, family reunification, or when your marital status affects your application.
Police Reports / FBI Background Checks
Most countries require proof of good character and criminal history verification.
Diplomas & Transcripts
Often required for work visas, skilled migration programs, or student visa extensions.
Power of Attorney
Allows a representative to handle legal matters in your home country while you're abroad.
Divorce Decrees
May be required if you've been previously married, especially for marriage-based visas.
When Apostille is NOT Enough
Important: If you're immigrating to a country that is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention (like China, Canada, or many Middle Eastern countries), your documents will require embassy legalization instead of an apostille.
Our experts can help determine whether your destination country requires apostille or embassy legalization, ensuring your documents meet all requirements for your immigration process.
The Immigration Document Process
Document Preparation
Gather all required documents for your specific immigration application.
Notarization (if required)
Some documents may need notarization before they can be apostilled.
Apostille Authentication
Documents are certified with an apostille by the Secretary of State.
Translation (if needed)
Many countries require certified translations of apostilled documents.
Submit for Immigration
Include your apostilled documents with your immigration application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an apostille for immigration documents?
Processing times vary by state, but typically range from 1-3 weeks. We offer expedited services that can reduce this to as little as 2-3 business days in many cases.
Do I need to apostille original documents or can I use copies?
Most immigration authorities prefer original documents with apostilles. However, some will accept certified copies. We can advise on the specific requirements for your destination country.
Can I get an apostille for documents from another country?
Documents must be apostilled in the country where they were issued. For example, a birth certificate from Mexico must be apostilled in Mexico, not in the United States.
Do apostilled documents expire?
Apostilles themselves don't expire. However, some countries may require that the underlying document (like a background check) be recent, typically issued within the last 3-6 months.