The Quick Answer
Any public document you intend to use in a foreign country that belongs to the Hague Convention needs an apostille. This includes government-issued documents, notarized papers, court records, and educational credentials. The apostille certifies the document's origin — the signature, seal, or stamp — so foreign authorities can trust it's legitimate.
Below is the complete checklist, organized by category, so you can quickly identify what you need.
📌 Document Apostille Checklist: By Category
Vital Records & Personal Documents
Required for dual citizenship, passport applications, marriage abroad, and visa applications. Must be certified copies from the vital records office.
Needed for spousal visas, residency applications, name changes, and property transactions abroad.
Required for inheritance claims, estate settlement, and insurance matters in foreign countries.
International adoptions require apostilled court orders, home studies, and agency accreditations.
Court-issued name change documents for identity verification abroad.
Background Checks & Criminal Records
The #1 most apostilled U.S. federal document. Required for nearly all international work visas, residency permits, digital nomad visas, and citizenship applications. Apostille must come from the U.S. Department of State — not a state Secretary of State.
Get your FBI apostille →State police or DOJ reports for specific visa requirements. Apostilled by the state Secretary of State.
Some countries require local police clearance in addition to FBI checks.
Education & Academic Documents
Required for work visas, teaching positions abroad, university enrollment, and professional licensing in foreign countries. Usually notarized first, then apostilled.
Official academic transcripts for foreign university admissions. Must be certified by the registrar.
Medical licenses, teaching credentials, engineering certifications for international practice.
Business & Legal Documents
For opening foreign bank accounts, establishing subsidiaries, or bidding on international contracts.
Authorizing someone to act on your behalf abroad — real estate transactions, legal representation, business matters.
Notarized declarations for use in foreign legal or administrative proceedings.
USPTO-issued patents and trademarks for international intellectual property protection.
⚠️ Documents That Do NOT Need an Apostille
- Passports — Already an internationally recognized travel document
- Driver's licenses — Generally not valid as ID abroad; get an International Driving Permit instead
- Social Security cards — Not a public document, cannot be apostilled
- Credit reports / financial statements — Private documents; may need notarization first
State-Level vs. Federal Apostille: Know the Difference
State Secretary of State
Handles apostilles for:
- Birth/death/marriage certificates
- Notarized documents
- Court orders (state courts)
- Diplomas & transcripts
- State business filings
U.S. Department of State
Handles apostilles for:
- FBI background checks
- Federal court documents
- USPTO patents & trademarks
- IRS & federal agency docs
- Consular reports of birth abroad
Need an Apostille? We Can Help
FBI background checks, vital records, and more — apostilled in 7-10 business days.