Guides

A Convention country takes one apostille; any other country needs the longer consular legalization chain through its embassy.

Since January 2024 Canada issues apostilles, from Global Affairs Canada or from the province that issued the document when that province is designated.

Registry-issued company papers go straight to the issuing office, while board papers and resolutions need a notary first.

An e-apostille carries the same force as a paper one where the destination accepts it, and online registers let anyone check a paper apostille too.

An FBI check is a federal document, so only the State Department Office of Authentications can apostille it, never a state office.

Public records go straight to the issuing office, while private papers need a notary first because the apostille certifies the notary's seal.

Have the translation done after the apostille, by a translator the receiving office accepts, because requirements differ by destination.

A UK degree for the Emirates needs the FCDO apostille first and UAE embassy legalization second, because the Emirates sit outside the Convention.

Order a certified copy from the state's vital records office, then get the apostille from that state's Secretary of State, because Spain takes apostilles.