# Guides

Apostille Finder has 9 guides on apostille and document legalization, grouped by country.

## General

- [Apostille or legalization: which one your document needs](https://apostilles.fyi/guides/apostille-vs-legalization.md): A Convention country takes one apostille; any other country needs the longer consular legalization chain through its embassy.
- [Apostilles for Canadian documents since 2024](https://apostilles.fyi/guides/canada-apostilles-since-2024.md): Since January 2024 Canada issues apostilles, from Global Affairs Canada or from the province that issued the document when that province is designated.
- [Apostilles for company documents](https://apostilles.fyi/guides/company-documents-apostille.md): Registry-issued company papers go straight to the issuing office, while board papers and resolutions need a notary first.
- [Electronic apostilles and online registers](https://apostilles.fyi/guides/e-apostille-and-registers.md): 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.
- [Apostille for an FBI background check](https://apostilles.fyi/guides/fbi-background-check-apostille.md): An FBI check is a federal document, so only the State Department Office of Authentications can apostille it, never a state office.
- [Which documents need a notary before the apostille](https://apostilles.fyi/guides/notarize-before-apostille.md): Public records go straight to the issuing office, while private papers need a notary first because the apostille certifies the notary's seal.
- [Translating a document for use abroad](https://apostilles.fyi/guides/translating-after-apostille.md): Have the translation done after the apostille, by a translator the receiving office accepts, because requirements differ by destination.
- [Using a UK degree in the United Arab Emirates](https://apostilles.fyi/guides/uk-degree-uae.md): A UK degree for the Emirates needs the FCDO apostille first and UAE embassy legalization second, because the Emirates sit outside the Convention.
- [Using a US birth certificate in Spain](https://apostilles.fyi/guides/us-birth-certificate-spain.md): 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.

> **Not legal advice.** Apostille Finder lists the government offices that issue apostilles and what their official pages state. It is not legal advice, and rules, hours and fees change. Confirm every detail on the official page linked in each listing before you send a document. The source note on each record shows when we last checked it. To report a mistake, write to hello@apostilles.fyi.